NCGA Disappointed WRDA Conference Report Delayed Until November (9-29-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed disappointment the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) conference committee was not able to finalize a report before Congress adjourns for recess. The conferees announced Thursday that finalizing a conference report will be taken up after Congress returns Nov. 13.

In a joint statement, Sens. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Kit Bond (R-Mo.) and Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) said a few issues remain unresolved and conferees will return in November ready to pass WRDA.

“This bill is six years overdue, and corn growers have been working on modernization of locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers more than 15 years,” said Gerald Tumbleson, NCGA president. “NCGA believes the conferees have made very good progress, but there are still a few remaining open issues. The finish line is in sight, and corn growers are committed to getting WRDA passed before the 109th Congress adjourns at the end of the year.”

WRDA includes authorization for construction of seven 1,200 foot locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, in addition to greatly needed port upgrades, flood control projects, beach renourishment and one of the largest and most extensive ecosystem restoration efforts.

Tumbleson said NCGA and its grassroots members will continue efforts in October and November to get the bill passed.

“We will work to get assurances from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert that this legislation will be the top priority in November,” he said. “NCGA and its affiliated state organizations will continue to call on Congress to modernize the antiquated river navigation system right up until the last vote is tallied. With legislators heading back to their districts to campaign, the next five weeks are a great time for growers to press their congressmen about the need for passage of WRDA.”

NCGA has issued a legislative alert urging growers to contact their members of congress and ask them to support the bill. Click on the Call to Action icon on www.ncga.com to contact your legislator.