WCI Recognizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers For Safeguarding American Public, Urges Continued, Safe Operation of Locks and Dams

Arlington, VA--WCI recognizes the efforts of the U.S. Army, specifically Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Jo-Ellen Darcy, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for their efforts to protect the American public and safeguard the U.S. economy by keeping the lock and dam system on our inland waterways open and operating safely. Their decision to keep the waterways open continues the long-standing recognition that the waterways--and personnel who operate them--are essential.

Impacts to the public--those who use the waterways for recreational boating and fishing, for hydropower, municipal water supply, and who benefit from national security purposes, as well as those who benefit from the commodities shipped on the river, including farmers and electrical utility customers as well as commercial towboat operators transporting the nation's bulk cargoes -- could be profound should the locks and dams close.

Just as last year when the middle Mississippi River nearly closed to shippers, the economic impacts to the nation could be catastrophic if our ports and waterways are no longer operating and unable to transport agricultural and other essential goods to market during this critical harvest period.

Public safety remains the priority and WCI recognizes the Army's and Corps' role in protecting Americans, and ensuring that our nation's essential waterways transportation system remains fully operational.

Waterways Council, Inc. is the national public policy organization advocating for a modern and well-maintained national system of ports and inland waterways. Its members include shippers and receivers of bulk commodities, waterways carriers, ports, shipping associations, agriculture groups, organized labor, advocacy groups, and environmental and conservation organizations. For more information on WCI, please visit www.waterwayscouncil.org