Barges transit through the Chain or Rocks Locks near St. Louis, MOA legislative proposal detailing U.S. inland waterway improvements is currently being discussed on Capitol Hill. According to Illinois Corn Growers Association Managing Director Jim Tarmann, conversations are taking place to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

Tarmann says the senate version of the bill includes a cost-share change to have 75% of costs be covered with federal funds and 25% with Inland Waterways Trust funds. Currently, the split is 65/35. The change could mean improvements are completed three to five years sooner. Four Illinois legislators are developing the proposal intending to drive progress on upper Mississippi River locks and dams.

Read more on potential inland waterway improvements here.