Editorial: Keeping River Navigable A Tough Row To Hoe

Even for an agency that has spent more than 200 years dealing with civil works projects, keeping rivers navigable and navigation facilities maintained properly is a tough row to hoe-sometimes nigh on impossible. That is the position in which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finds itself.

Presently industry leaders are working diligently to impress Congress about the need for passage of a Water Resources Development Act this year. But around the Mississippi River corridor (if we can call it that) there are specific concerns that fall under the kinds of things that most likely would be accomplished under the Corps’ proposals for modernization and maintenance of the Upper Mississippi/Illinois rivers.

Interesting revelations emerged recently when members of the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association (UMWA) had the opportunity to sit down and exchange ideas with Brig. Gen. Robert Crear, head of the Corps’ Mississippi Valley Division. One of UMWA’s concerns is about the long-delayed work on Lock and Dam 3, which Lee Nelson, UMWA’s president, said has both embankment and outdraft problems. He told Gen. Crear if the embankment collapses, it could mean the loss of the pool.

What they heard from Crear was not promising. He said the work came close to being funded but because of the delays is now considered a “new start.” He said that is something with which he and the Corps disagree. Well, General, we join you in that disagreement! What kind of calculation is it that causes further delay of crucial work and, perhaps, even applies more strict requirements that must be met before financing to be forthcoming?

Gen. Crear made a few points that we have beat the drums for as long as we can remember. He said the Corps can explain its capabilities to Congress, but it helps for congressional delegates to hear from a diverse group about specific needs.

It isn’t even an inside joke any longer that the industry is guilty of preaching to the choir. Voluminous reports emanate from the meetings of industry groups, and for the most part mostly industry stakeholders read them. That is no slam against industry or the groups. It is just a fact of life. The same could be said about the medical profession, lawyers or real estate agents. Even the WJ preaches to the choir. That is why it is important for individuals to pick up the ball and run with it.

The secret is to get citizens who do not belong to these industry groups to become deeply interested in the water transportation infrastructure and educate themselves to where they understand how beneficial it is to the economic well-being of the nation. Having gained such knowledge, it is important to share their thoughts with congressional representatives.

In the general scheme of things it does not hurt for industry groups to contact Congress. That happens all the time. But those congressional leaders who are skeptical and need convincing might respond by saying, “Why shouldn’t they say what they do? They’re biased. They make their living in water transportation.”

Nevertheless, there is no reason to be ashamed of earning a living in a vocation that has been in existence virtually since men discovered flotation. It’s important for individuals to let their congressmen know in their own words how they feel about water resource development and the modernization of the navigation system. In other words, we must give Gen. Crear and his colleagues an assist. The General said it better than we can when he suggested that the Corps and industry need to interact with more groups and individuals outside the industry as a way of expanding understanding.

One of the major reasons that the former Ohio Valley Improvement Association and DINAMO were so successful was because they were broad-based. The message of the associations was the battle cry of a lot of people. As some observers have noted, you do not find river critics carrying out successful delaying tactics on the Ohio River as you do on the Upper Mississippi. We know that to be true.

Unfortunately, as Crear explained, operations and maintenance projects are not “sexy.” It’s hard to show return on investment (ROI), he said. And that is why some stand-alone projects have a low ROI number.

We must bring reluctant members of Congress around to realizing that water transportation and the upkeep and modernization of the waterways are not dead horses. Properly funded, they can only benefit the nation.

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