More Action on ‘Spring Rise' Takes Place

September 24, 2001

A meeting was held last week in Louisville, KY, to discuss ways to fund an educational campaign on the need to update navigation on the Missouri and Illinois Rivers. National Corn Growers Association CEO and Executive Vice President Rick Tolman said the Midwest Area River Coalition 2000 (MARC 2000) said the educational campaign would focus on regions and communities most affected by a spring rise.

Tolman said the spring rise issues is equal in importance to more visible issues such as the farm bill, trade promotion authority and ethanol, and it shouldn't get lost in the shuffle of the other priorities. "The rivers are certainly an important issue," he said. "Later in the year, we'll be looking at appropriations work, so we'll be seeing this in the forefront.

"The effort right now is to build support and get the resources in place so there can be that informational campaign when the time comes," Tolman continued. "There has been an upsurge in support recently with the help of individuals such as Reps. Kenny Hulsof (R-MO), Sonny Calahan (R-AL) and Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO). They are key in our efforts to get the word out and it's gratifying because we need champions in Congress to carry this through."