Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on the leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to improve on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that recently passed the Senate and to quickly move legislation forward. Loebsack called for the House Committee to ensure the aging infrastructure on the Upper Mississippi River is adequately addressed. A copy of the letter can be found here.
"While I am encouraged by the Senate's actions, I am concerned that the legislation does not adequately address the crippling navigation infrastructure on the Upper Mississippi River," wrote Congressman Dave Loebsack. "Having seen the locks and dams on the Mississippi first-hand, received updates from the Army Corps of Engineers, and met with community stakeholders, I am deeply concerned. It is clear the locks and dams are deteriorating, causing increased maintenance costs for the Army Corps of Engineers and threatening economic impacts to the region."
"As your Committee considers a Water Resources Development bill, I hope a full view of our critical water resources needs is taken, and the link between the Mississippi River and the strong economic growth in the Upper Mississippi region is recognized and addressed."
Last month, Loebsack joined Congresswoman Bustos and Congressman Braley for a tour of the locks and dams on the Mississippi River to see firsthand the aging infrastructure. Loebsack has been a strong advocate of updating river infrastructure and is also a cosponsor of multiple pieces of legislation including the Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act, the Waterways Are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency, and Environment Act and the Mississippi River Navigation Sustainment Act. He also authored a letter with Congressman Aaron Schock (IL-18) calling on the President to include funding in the FY14 budget for the Army Corps of Engineers' Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program addressing waterway improvements.
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