February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
NESP SHUT OUT of FY2016 BUDGET
The release of the FY 2016 by the Obama
Administration did not include funding to continue
the preconstruction engineering and design (PED)
for the Navigation-Ecosystem Sustainability
Program (NESP), nor a construction start for any of
its provisions, despite nearly $54 million dollars in
NESP navigation efficiencies and ecosystem
restoration that would be ready for construction
within a year.
The budget did include a 13.25 percent decrease in
the entire program (compared to FY15
Appropriations), with a reduction in the
Construction account of almost 29 percent.
WCI reacted to the budget with a media release
stating, “Given recent austere budget proposals for
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it is not
surprising that the Administration has slashed FY16
transportation infrastructure funding, but it is
nonetheless disappointing to see so little
appropriations funding requested for lock and dam
modernization in a Presidential budget portrayed as
focused on infrastructure investment.”
The lack of a NESP start, along with other projects
across the system, is particularly disappointing
when considering the economic gains to be had
from their construction and completion. A new
National Waterways Foundation study indicates that
if 21 priority navigation projects on America’s
inland waterways could be completed at an
estimated cost of just $5.8 billion, the 20-year sum
of related economic output activity would exceed
$82 billion dollars, benefiting our nation’s overall
economy. More information about the study is
available later in this issue of Midwest Update.
WCI MEETINGS KICK OFF NEW YEAR
of CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH
A new 114th Congress means new legislators and
staff to educate on the importance of our inland
waterways system. WCI kicked off that process
during its DC meetings and Seminar, February 1012, to discuss the topics that will lead the discussion
on this year’s policy front.
More than 100 offices were reached during the flyin, with many new legislators meeting their
constituents and experts in the towing, shipping,
agriculture, manufacturing and organized labor
fields, joined by leading conservation organization
representatives.
SENATORS to WHITE HOUSE: START
NESP in FY2016
Eight U.S. Senators co-signed a letter to President
Obama on January 23, requesting a start of the
Navigation-Ecosystem Sustainability Program
(NESP) as he prepared his FY 2016 budget.
The letter, headed by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) stated, “Congress
authorized NESP to improve the long-term
economic capability and ecological importance of
the UMRS, and its success is supported by a broad
coalition of river stakeholders. We urge you to build
on these goals by supporting NESP funding needs
in your upcoming FY2016 Budget Request.”
The letter continued, “Waterways are key to U.S.
competition in the global economy. With the
explosion of world food and energy needs, the
Mississippi River is poised to be more important
than ever. The river already moves large volumes
of agricultural and energy products between U.S.
February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
markets and ports, and serves as the country's
busiest waterway. However, decades-old and
undersized locks slow traffic and limit capacity. Our
river infrastructure is currently suffering from longterm underinvestment.”
Participants include Senators Richard Durbin (DIL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA),
Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Al Franken (D-MN), and
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
This letter followed a similar effort from the U.S.
House of Representatives, with 41 bipartisan
Members representing 11 states requesting the
Administration on November 17, 2014 to consider a
NESP start.
PLUMBERS and PIPEFITTERS’ CHIEF
ADDRESSES DEMOCRATIC SENATORS
ON INLAND RIVER INFRASTRUCTURE
Prominent Democratic Senators heard a clear
message from the head of the plumbers and
pipefitters union on January 28: lock construction
means job creation.
General President Bill Hite of the United
Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders
and Service Techs addressed 15 U.S. Senators in a
Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach
Committee meeting, urging lock construction as a
priority to the 114th Congress. Mr. Hite discussed
the challenges facing inland river transportation
infrastructure as well as the job opportunities that
would accompany investment.
Mr. Hite is one of the newest members of the Board
of Directors for Waterways Council and another
example of the diversity of WCI membership
through organized labor unions. A briefing to the
Republican equivalent is in the works. Thank you
to the UA for carrying the message forward!
NEW STUDY HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC
RETURN of LOCK CONSTRUCTION
A new study highlights the return on investment for
lock construction funding. The University of
Tennessee and University of Kentucky joined
together for the two-year endeavor, commissioned
by the National Waterways Foundation.
The study looked at an accelerated construction
timeframe for the 21 locks prioritized under the
Inland Marine Transportation System Capital
Projects Business Model, or “Capital Development
Plan.” The plan was assembled in 2010 jointly by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Inland
Waterways Users Board.
The study found that as many as 350,000 job-years
of new employment with a value of $14 billion
dollars (in present value) over the 10 years
examined by the study. View the study Inland
Navigation in the United States: An Evaluation of
Economic Impacts and the Potential Effects of
Infrastructure Investment here.
A brochure highlighting the study’s findings has
been developed. It will no doubt be a useful tool for
public education efforts.
View Waterways:
National Economic Return on Investment here.
Congress lauded the inland waterways industry and
stakeholders last year for working with the Corps to
develop answers to some perplexing challenges.
Most of the elements (or some variation) from the
“Capital Development Plan” were authorized in the
2014 Water Resources & Reform Development Act
(WRRDA), with the 9-cent increase to the diesel
February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
fuel user fee authorized in the “cromnibus” bill
signed by President Obama on December 16, 2014.
STAKEHOLDERS to GATHER FOR
FREIGHT SUMMIT FEBRUARY 24-25 in
DUBUQUE
The Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals (IRPT),
Mid-America Freight Coalition (MAFC), and
Upper Mississippi River Basin Association
(UMRBA) invite you to attend the first regional
workshop involving the Upper Mississippi ports,
terminals, and operators.
In August 2014 the Maritime Administration
granted the five Upper Mississippi River states’
request to designate the Upper Mississippi River
as the M-35 Marine Highway Corridor,
extending from St. Paul, Minnesota to Grafton,
Illinois.
Under this designation, the states of Illinois,
Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin
pledged to work with industry and other regional
partners to improve freight mobility through
innovative, integrated strategic approaches and
promote the inland waterways as a means to
relieve landside transportation congestion and
improve the nation’s overall transportation
system.
The designation offers new opportunities for
ports, terminals, and operators to access federal
funding, technical support, and other resources to
expand or develop new shipping services. As a
first step in the planning process, the states,
through UMRBA, are joining with IRPT and
MAFC to host this regional workshop involving
the Upper Mississippi ports, terminals, and
operators to begin discussions about how best to
increase commerce on the Upper Mississippi to
meet the region’s and nation’s freight
transportation needs.
The listed goals of the workshop are the
following:
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To develop and strengthen regional
collaboration among the Upper Mississippi
ports, terminals, and operators, as well as
governmental and private sector river
stakeholders;
To discuss opportunities for Upper
Mississippi ports, terminals, and operators
under new national and state initiatives,
including the M-35 Marine Highway
Designation,
2014 Water Resources
Reform and Development Act, and state
and national freight transportation plans;
To identify priorities and actionable items
for strengthening and expanding the Upper
Mississippi’s ability to effectively and
efficiently move commerce, including new
or expanded services, advocacy needs.
In addition, the 2014 Water Resources Reform and
Development Act and the states’ multimodal
freight transportation planning efforts offer new
and important opportunities for the region to build
its capacity and support current and future
transportation needs.
Through this workshop, their stated goals are to
provide information and facilitate discussion
around those opportunities in order to develop
regional perspectives for growing the corridor.
The engagement of ports, terminals, and operators
is necessary for stimulating sustainable growth and
February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
operation of Upper Mississippi shipping services,
including intermodal centers.
DRAWDOWN of MISSISSIPPI RIVER
RESERVOIRS BEGINS to PREPARE
FOR SPRING
The Corps’ St. Paul District is drawing down its
Mississippi River Headwaters reservoirs in
preparation for spring runoff. The Corps’ six
reservoirs in Minnesota – Leech Lake, near
“Federal Dam”; Winnibigoshish Lake, near Deer
River; Pokegama Lake, near Grand Rapids; Big
Sandy Lake, near McGregor; Cross Lake
Recreation Area; near Crosslake; and Gull Lake
Recreation Area, near Brainerd – are all operated to
maximize the environmental and recreation benefits
and reduce the risk of flooding in the region.
The Corps continues a normal drawdown at Big
Sandy Lake and Pokegama Lake and it is at least 70
percent complete at both locations. The drawdown
rates have been reduced at the other four reservoirs
due to a lack of snow within the region. Corps
personnel are monitoring conditions on the ground
and continue to coordinate with the National
Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey to
share information relevant to any potential flood
risk.
RIVERWORKS DISCOVERY
RECEPTION MARCH 4 CELEBRATES
TRAVELING EXHIBIT
RiverWorks Discovery announced its exhibit will
return to the Midwest, with St. Louis’ historic
Union Station hosting Journey of Exploration of
America’s Waterways now through May 3.
The exhibit’s focus on interaction with its
educational traveling display is designed to teach
the importance of commerce, culture, and
conservation on America’s inland waterways. View
a local St. Louis television news feature about
Journey of Exploration of America’s Waterways
here.
RiverWorks Discovery is hosting a reception on
March 4 from 6:00pm-7:30pm, open to all
Waterways Council members and partners. RSVP
is requested to errin@riverworksdiscovery.org by
Friday, February 27. The reception will coincide
with the annual Inland Waterways Conference, held
at the Hyatt Renaissance in St. Louis. It is not
necessary to attend the conference in order to attend
the RiverWorks Discovery reception.
INLAND WATERWAYS CONFERENCE
COMES TO ST. LOUIS
The 2015 Inland Waterways Conference is coming
to St. Louis March 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency St.
Louis at the Arch.
This maritime industry
conference is squarely focused on the pressing
issues, challenges and opportunities facing the
inland rivers of the United States. Click here to
view the conference agenda.
The 2015 Inland Waterways Conference will
engage leaders from the United States Coast Guard,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
and other governmental organizations with an
involvement in the inland waterways maritime
industry. To register, follow this link.
WARMER than NORMAL WINTER HITS
RESET BUTTON ON MISSOURI RIVER
RESERVOIRS
February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
Last year’s stored flood waters are finally out of
the Missouri River reservoir system, thanks in
part to warmer temperatures that started
snowpack melt sooner than usual. “The last
remaining 2014 flood water was evacuated in
early January when the combined storage in the
reservoirs fell below 56.1 million acre feet
(MAF), the base of the flood control zone,”
reported Jodi Farhat, chief of the Missouri River
Basin Water Management Division, to media on
February 6.
“The entire flood control capacity of the mainstem
reservoir system is ready to capture runoff in the
spring, reducing flood risk while providing good
support to the other authorized project purposes.”
The 2015 forecast for runoff in the Missouri River
Basin above Sioux City stands at 25.5 million acrefeet (MAF), or 101 percent of normal. Normal
runoff is 25.2 MAF. The Missouri River basin
above Sioux City has already seen runoff far ahead
of schedule. January’s runoff was 178 percent of
normal, and the usual amount for February and
March combined has already occurred.
During the latter half of January in particular, the
melted snow plains provided unexpected runoff
during a time where frozen conditions usually stem
any movements required from the reservoirs.
Mountain snowpack will continue to accumulate
during the next few months, normally peaking in
mid-April. You can view a graphic of the mountain
snowpack here. Above-normal runoff is forecasted
for the remainder of the month. The Great Plains
has widespread snowpack, but it contains very low
water content and is melting rapidly.
MONTHLY CALLS KEEP MEDIA,
CONGRESS UPDATED on MISSOURI
RIVER
The Corps hosted the first of monthly conferences
call for 2015 on January 13, to inform basin
stakeholders on current weather and runoff forecasts
and the planned operation of the reservoir system in
the coming months.
Presentation materials were viewable via webinar.
The calls are intended for Congressional
delegations; Tribes; state, county and local
government officials; and the media. They will be
recorded in its entirety and made available to the
public as a free podcast in iTunes.
Subscribe
for
the
free
podcast
here http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/missouri-riverbasin-water/id508457675, or, search for Missouri
River Basin Water Management in iTunes. The
audio file will also be posted to the Omaha
District’s facebook page and other social media
outlets following each call.
The Corps and U.S. Coast Guard also hosted the
annual Missouri River Navigators Meeting
February 9-10 in Kansas City, MO to review the
2014 Missouri River navigation season, look at
projections for the 2015 season, and provide a
forum to address topics impacting navigation on the
Missouri.
After reviewing comments received on the draft
2015 Annual Operating Plan, the Corps’ Missouri
River Basin Water Management Division developed
and released the Final Annual Operating Plan for
the Missouri River Basin for 2014–2015. The plan
is posted here.
February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
UPPER ST. ANTHONY FALLS LOCK to
CLOSE, CORPS UNVEILS PLAN of
REDUCED SERVICE at SURROUNDING
LOCKS
This year will see the closure of the northernmost
lock on the Mississippi River. The Upper St.
Anthony Falls lock was scuttled in the 2014 Water
Resources Reform & Development Act (WRRDA).
The Minneapolis-based lock (mile 854) will close
on or before June 10, 2015, as required in WRRDA.
Last month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
announced its intention to reduce service at two
neighboring locks. A single 10-hour shift each day
of the week, spanning 10am to 8pm, would replace
normal operations.
The move will begin when the Corps implements
the permanent closure of Upper St. Anthony Falls
Lock. In its January Waterways edition, the Upper
Mississippi Waterways Association pointed out the
closure, purportedly to stem Asian carp migration
(though not mentioned in WRRDA), “was
mandated well before an extensive water sampling
program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” was
completed. The UWFWS results thus far showed
“only a small amount” of eDNA, or environmental
DNA, in pools 6, 8, and 9. “Scientists collected
more than 500 water samples and found eDNA in
only one” of the samples. The accuracy of eDNA is
still up for debate as a predictor of actual fish
presence.
In a press statement, the Corps St. Paul District
noted the decision to reduce service at the other two
locks, saying, “In the course of making this final
decision, Corps staff evaluated many factors
including a significantly higher than average
number of lock closure days the past two years,
impacts to staff, environmental concerns, navigation
industry concerns and the impending closure of the
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam to
navigation.”
RIVER INDUSTRY CLUB of ST. LOUIS
ANNOUNCES MEETINGS
The monthly luncheons of the St. Louis River
Industry Club opened the new year on January 27
with WCI member company Bryan Cave, LLP
sponsoring the event.
The Club's goal is to bring together people from all
segments of the river industry to talk about issues
and ideas important to our industry. It offers an
opportunity to socialize with shippers, cargo
handlers, carriers, legislators and advocacy groups
as well as representatives of the Corps and Coast
Guard.
The group meets typically on the fourth Tuesday of
each month at the Engineer’s Club of St. Louis,
4359 Lindell Boulevard, with networking at
11:30am and lunch promptly at noon, with a
presentation on river-related topics following. The
individual cost of each meeting is $10 per person.
2015 Meeting Dates and Sponsors:
January 27- Bryan Cave, LLP
February 24- AGRIServices of Brunswick/Hermann
Sand and Gravel
March 24- MarineNet
April 28- Miller Barge
May 20*- American Commercial Lines
June 23- AEP River Operations
July 28– Available for Sponsorship
August 25- Holcim
September 22- SCF Marine
October 27– Available for Sponsorship
November 18*- American Milling
February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
December 16*- Available for Sponsorship
*not on a Tuesday to avoid holiday conflicts
Sponsorships are available for July, October and
December. Questions or requests to be added to the
mail list should go to Sally Evans at
STLRIClub@cdgengineers.com
ASIAN CARP on the MENU
UNIVERSITY DINING HALLS?
at
He and his sous-chefs discovered carp is unlike
other fish because it becomes crumbly when
cooked. The chefs tried to make burgers and fish
cakes, but they found it was so lean they had to add
binding agents to keep it together.
The idea of using carp in the culinary industry
originated from Mark Morgan, an MU professor in
the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
The following article by Natalie Helms was
published in the February 11, 2015 Columbia
Morgan has been working to find a market for the
nuisance fish, which is plaguing the Missouri, the
Mississippi and other river systems. He believes
MU will be the first university in the nation to serve
Asian carp to students.
COLUMBIA — The texture of Asian carp
reminded MU junior Abigail Auner of ground beef.
“I'm very impressed," said Auner, who was eating a
plate of carp in a pasta sauce. "I wouldn't assume
it’s fish.”
Dishes are expected to be offered at Kate & Emma's
or Pomodoro, two food vendors in the MU Student
Center, with the potential to serve similar meals at
other campus dining locations.
She and other MU students had been invited to taste
Asian carp dishes and share their reactions Tuesday
at the Sabai Culinary Development Kitchen in
Johnston Hall.
In October, a taste test was held at Moser’s
Discount Foods, during which customers tried
Morgan’s Asian carp chili. Moser’s was the first
store in Missouri to sell the carp to retail customers,
according to previous Missourian reporting.
Students' opinions were gathered through word of
mouth and one-on-one interactions with Eric
Cartwright, executive chef of MU Campus Dining
Services. Results are helping MU culinary staff
decide whether to serve carp in campus dining halls.
The Business Loop 70 West location offers three
forms of the fish: boneless ground, fillets with some
bones and fish heads.
Missourian
The taste test was also an opportunity for students
to enter the kitchen and watch Cartwright prepare
experimental dishes — Italian fish stew, pasta
puttanesca with seafood, bacon and jalapeno
chowder.
"It's a very versatile product," Cartwright said. "It's
economical, and it has potential."
Ron Baucom, Moser's meat manager, said sales
have been above average. The store is working with
its corporate offices to get the fish products placed
at its Rangeline Road location in early spring.
So far, however, Morgan has had limited success in
persuading Mexican and Chinese restaurants in
Columbia to incorporate Asian carp in their menus.
February 2015 • Volume 7, Issue #2
Many Americans find it difficult to eat carp because
of its bones, one reason culinary tests have
concentrated on using flaked fish. But Morgan
believes the public can be sold.
"If we can do it, other people can eat it, too," he
said. Cartwright said he was pleased with the
turnout on Tuesday of about 40 who tried the free
samples over an hour and a half. He said he heard
almost no negative feedback.
Students are honest about their likes and dislikes,
Cartwright said, acknowledging that unfamiliarity
with Asian carp could determine whether students
would accept it as a dish on the menu.
Serving Asian carp in the dining halls is primarily
about making students aware of the impact the fish
is having on rivers from New Orleans to the Great
Lakes.
“It's a culinary solution to an environmental
problem," Cartwright said.
Sunday at the Blue Note. Another taste of Morgan's
chili was provided at the event.
Duane Chapman, a research fish biologist with the
U.S. Geological Survey, said entrepreneurs around
the country are trying to develop markets for the
fish.
Chapman started working with Asian carp soon
after he learned about the environmental problems
the fish are causing. His research projects study, for
example, the life history of the carp to determine
how far upriver they spawn and what rivers are
potential habitats.
Chapman said a long-term strategy needs to be
developed to make sure that infrastructure in the
business of harvesting doesn't prevent efforts to
decrease Asian carp numbers.
"Harvest is the only control method right now we
can deploy," he said.
Related Articles
A small effort in mid-Missouri to eat silver Asian
carp will not have a significant impact on the Asian
carp population, Morgan said. "But doing
something is better than doing nothing," he added.
The fish multiply so quickly it is difficult for
researchers to obtain an accurate measure of the
Asian carp population.
Morgan teamed up with filmmaker Mark Olson to
create a YouTube series called "Silver Carp
Solutions: Catching, Cooking, and Consuming,"
which aims to help viewers understand the issues
and provide possible solutions to carp problems.
The series was featured at the Wild & Scenic Film
Festival hosted by Missouri River Relief last
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Invasive Asian carp popular at Columbia
supermarket
Invasive carp finds place in Columbia
supermarket