Editorial: Principals Build Missouri Navigation Caucus

There are those who worry about endangered species in the Missouri River, and there are those who demand more water to support recreation, municipalities, irrigation, etc. But never, that we can remember, has there been a group to fight specifically for Missouri River navigation and its benefactors. All that is changing.

The Missouri River Navigation Caucus recently was formed by the Missouri River navigation industry.

“It is long overdue,” says Capt. Bill Beacom of Sioux City, Iowa. “It will take its rightful place in the basin alongside Mo-Ark and the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association.” The purpose of the caucus will be to promote navigation on the Missouri and to protect current users from the implementation of any changes in the Missouri River Master Water Control Manual that “we don’t approve of,” Beacom said.

Capt. Beacom, executive director of the new organization, says Missouri River navigation is the best-kept secret in the Midwest. He says caucus members will continue to recognize their responsibility to be good stewards of the Missouri River as a natural resource and work with agencies involved in Missouri River management to achieve environmental goals. But they believe these goals can be met without harm to the marine industry.

“We can accomplish this through communication leading to collaboration,” he said.

Recognizing, but brushing aside, myths and rumors about the Missouri River being an unfriendly environment for shippers, Beacom points instead to what shipping on the Missouri has to offer. Barges can move items too big to move by truck or rail. The river is not saturated, from a traffic standpoint, as are highways and railroads. Shippers are not required to move their product in trainload lots. Shippers can load one barge (holding about 1,400 tons) or as many as they like. The eight-month navigation season complements the corn-growing season. With ethanol production activities increasing rapidly, that’s a real plus.

According to the latest figures of the U.S. Engineers, there are more than 80 Missouri River terminals operating (all by mile starting at the head of navigation) including Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; Blair and Omaha, Neb.; Council Bluffs, Iowa; La Platte, Rock Bluff and Nebraska City, Neb.; Mound City, Mo.; White Cloud, Kan.; St. Joe, Mo.; Atchison, Leavenworth and Wolcott, Kan.; and Parkville, Riverside, Kansas City, Randolph, Sugar Creek, Lexington, Waverly, Miami, Brunswick, Rocheport, Jefferson City, Hermann, New Haven, Washington, and St. Charles, all in Missouri.

Even though the river’s biggest gremlin (seven years of drought) may be leading us into the eighth year, there is still shipping on the Missouri, Beacom said. He said that while the river may not have been user friendly to “newcomers” in the past, it is no longer true. Major examples of recent accomplishment include the delivery of major parts for a 795-megawatt power plant to Council Bluffs, one barge load at a time, and new steam generators by barge to the nuclear power plant above Omaha by McDonough Marine. He jokingly referred to the transporters in these movements as “newcomers.”

Those who wish to join the caucus must be “in the basin.” If they claim to be part of the Missouri River navigation industry, their business must have a mailing address in the basin. They must demonstrate a connection to Missouri River navigation and show how Missouri River management decisions have an impact or potential impact on their personal business, propery or livelihood. Towing companies that are not based in the basin do not meet the criteria for membership.

Beacom said industry gave birth to the caucus “because now, and in the past, there has been a noticeable void in the representation of Missouri River navigation industries’ interests in the Missouri River basin decision-making process. Since no single voice has been present, many voices have claimed to represent us. The result has not been harmony but discord. There have been cases of those who claim to represent us agreeing to actions that were not in our best interest.”

Those interested in caucus membership can contact Beacom at 712, 255-3412. Inquiries also can be faxed to 712, 255-0844 or mailed to him at 2423 Jackson, Sioux City, Iowa 51104. His e-mail address is bbeacom@pionet.net.

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