Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today voted in favor of the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act which included tens of millions of dollars for the Mississippi River and other critical water projects in the 17th District at his request.

“Strengthening the Mississippi River and its tributaries is a key to economic development in my district and the surrounding region,” Hare said. “These infrastructure investments will help create jobs, improve navigability, and ensure the Mississippi remains a source of strength for all of us.”

The following projects were included in the bill at the request of Hare and other Members of Congress:

Corps of Engineers–Mississippi River Between Missouri River and Minneapolis, MN – MVR Portion, $58,714,000
This project consists of a 314-river-mile reach of 9-foot commercial navigation channel from Guttenberg, Iowa, downstream to Saverton, Missouri. It includes 14 locks and 11 dams at 12 sites from Lock 11 to Lock 22. The navigable portions of this river and the locks and dams that allow waterway traffic to move from one pool to another are integral parts of a regional, national, and international transportation network. Recreation facilities include 25 public recreation areas and the Visitor Center located at Lock & Dam 15.

Corps of Engineers-Illinois Waterway (IL & IN)-MVR Portion, $31,736,000
The project includes a total of 268 river miles of 9-foot commercial navigation channel from Chicago to LaGrange Lock and Dam, near Beardstown, Illinois; with 8 locks and 7 dams. The navigable portions of this river and the locks and dams that allow waterway traffic to move from one pool to another are integral parts of a regional, national, and international transportation network. The system is significant for certain key exports and the nation's balance of trade. Recreation facilities include a Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

Mississippi River Between Missouri River and Minneapolis, MN – MVS Portion, $22,227,000
This project extends from the mouth of the Missouri River at St. Louis to Lock and Dam 22.  It includes 105 miles of river and 70,000 acres of public lands. Funds will be used for operation and maintenance, including dredging, locks and dams, dike and revetment; the operation, maintenance and inventory of project lands for environmental stewardship and restoration; recreational access; public education; and central monitoring of the Critical Infrastructure Security Program of all locks. 

Corps of Engineers-Upper Mississippi River Restoration (EMP), $20,000,000
This program includes the Upper Mississippi River between the Twin Cities in Minnesota and the mouth of the Ohio River, the Illinois Waterway, and small portions of tributaries that have commercial navigation channels.  The Upper River Restoration Program consists of two primary components: (1) Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Projects (HREP) and (2) Long-Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP).  Habitat projects include dredging backwater areas and channels, constructing dikes, creating and stabilizing islands, and controlling side channel flows and water levels.  Long-term resource monitoring includes monitoring trends and impacts with respect to selected resources, developing useful products for resource management decisions, and maintaining river information databases.  The economic impacts of recreation study were conducted to estimate recreation expenditures for river dependent activities so that all significant values are considered when evaluating management options for this multiple use river system.

Corps of Engineers/City of Rock Island-Mill Creek & South Slough Dredging and Rehabilitation, $1,000,000
Although authorized to do so, the Corps of Engineers has not performed maintenance of the Mill Creek South Slough flood control project in over two decades. This project is located downstream from the City of Rock Island’s southwest area sewage treatment plant.  As a result of the lack of maintenance, the area surrounding the treatment plant has become a shallow lake creating a potential environmental hazard due to it's location near the wastewater treatment facility.

Corps of Engineers/City of Rock Island-Sunset Marina, $500,000
In early 2003, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Rock Island worked together through the Corps’ Planning Assistance to States Program to develop a permanent solution to the Marina's silt loading problem. The conclusion of the study was to protect the harbor entrance by constructing an emergent dike. This new structure would deflect much of the silt past the entrance and reduce the harbor dredging frequency from about once every three to seven years. The Corps estimated the benefit/cost ratio to be approximately 1.4 to 1.0.

Corps of Engineers/Nature Conservancy –Emiquon Restoration, Amount TBD
These funds would complete the ecosystem restoration plan for the Conservancy’s 7100 acre Emiquon Preserve along the Illinois River in Fulton County, Illinois. Project elements include an emergency overflow structure and a managed connection with the river to restore important ecological processes and provide access for aquatic organisms.