IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2004

Contact: Brad Redlin (651) 649-1446

               Bill Grant     (651) 649-1446

IWLA FAULTS MULTI-BILLION MISSISSIPPI RIVER BOONDOGGLE

CORPS OF ENGINNERS LOCKS PLAN SHORTSIGHTED

St. Paul, MN -- The Izaak Walton League of America today derided the announcement that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' intends to push forward on controversial $2.3-billion plan for expansion of locks on the Upper Mississippi River system.

"This plan is not merely flawed, but lacks any credibility that it will address the river's needs in a comprehensive way," said Paul Hansen, executive Director for IWLA.  The Corps has worked on this idea for more than ten years at a cost of tens of millions of taxpayer's dollars.  "A costly multi-billion construction project is the last thing that should be done to enhance the environmental and economic health of the Mississippi river," added Hansen.

IWLA has fought for years for a comprehensive approach by the Corps.  "We believe that the Corps' responsibility is to manage the river, not just the navigation system, to serve the public interest," said Hansen. "The case for lock expansion must be made as an integrated element of the region's entire transportation and economic needs, which the Corps has not done."

The Corps has faced repeated skepticism about its plan, including charges it fabricated its economic justification for the project from an agency employee.  And as recently as last December, the National Academy of Sciences recommended the Corps adopt, easier and less expensive means to address problems on the river.

Among the immediately available options cited by the National Academy of Sciences and IWLA is a combination of helper boats to assist traffic through locks, a scheduling system for barge traffic similar to what is used on other major waterways, and a program of tolls and incentives to encourage properly equipped and efficiency trained tow crews.

"The Corps has equated lock expansion with modernization of the Upper Mississippi River system infrastructure," said Brad Redlin, IWLA's Mississippi River Coordinator.  The Corps approach fails critical examination in at least two ways.

"First, barge traffic has remained at a static level for two decades, and has in fact declined in years since the Corps began developing this plan," said Redlin. "Second, rehabilitation of the system has been a constant with an annual budget of $130 million for operation and maintenance."

"The inclusion in the Corps' plan for financial support of damaged habitat and environment is clearly justified after 150 years of neglect," said Redlin. "But it does not follow that finally meeting that responsibility in turn justifies unnecessary lock expansion."

Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League of America is dedicated to common sense conservation that protects America's hunting, fishing, and outdoor heritage relying on solution-oriented conservation, education, and the promotion of outdoor recreation for the benefit of our citizens. The League has 50,000 members and supporters in 21 state divisions and more than 300 local chapters in 32 states.

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