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Obama Cosponsors Bill to Improve Mississippi River Locks and Dams

Thursday, April 7, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Contact: Robert Gibbs or Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511
Date: April 7, 2005

OBAMA COSPONSORS BILL TO IMPROVE MISSISSIPPI RIVER LOCKS AND DAMS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) Wednesday cosponsored the Water Resources Development Act of 2005 (WRDA), which would authorize $1.8 billion for new locks and dams along the Mississippi River and $1.6 billion in federal funds for environmental ecosystem restoration projects along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

"These locks and dams are 70 years old, and must be upgraded now to make it easier for Illinois corn and soybean farmers to export their crops," Obama said. "This bill represents a critical investment in our state's future that will launch a new era in Illinois agriculture by helping farmers move goods down the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to the Port of New Orleans, restore the environment along the rivers, and create 6,000 jobs over 15 years."

The bill authorizes $1.8 billion for new 1,200-foot locks along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. New locks would be built in Adams County, Pike County, Calhoun County and along the Illinois Waterway near La Grange in Brown County. Obama noted that Illinois farmers export more than 50 percent of their corn and soybeans, most of which travel down the two rivers.

The bill also provides an unprecedented $1.6 billion in federal funds for environmental ecosystem restoration projects along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and it would allow the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to move forward on Thornton Reservoir construction. This construction would protect 556,000 people from potential flooding in 15 communities, prevent $31 million in flood damages each year, and reduce flood insurance premiums for local homeowners.

"Although I strongly support this much-needed legislation, it does fall short of the changes needed to ensure that Corps projects are environmentally responsible, and to restore credibility to Corps project planning. I will support efforts to strengthen these important elements of the bill as it proceeds through the legislative process."

Senator Obama is a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which will consider the WRDA bill next week.

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