Iowa’s two U.S. Senators are joining with Senators from Missouri and Illinois in pushing a plan to renovate the locks and dams along the Mississippi River. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says it’s time to enhance commercial transportation along that important river corridor. Harkin says the bill would provide money to rebuild seven, 12-hundred-foot locks, and an equal amount of money for “ecosystem” restoration. .Harkin says other countries like Brazil are improving their own water transportation systems and the U.S. will be at a competitive disadvantage if improvements aren’t made to the Mississippi. Harkin says improving the locks and dams will help keep railroad rates down — and reduce wear and tear on the nation’s highways.Harkin says the proposal he and the other Midwestern senators are pushing would provide money to enhance the Mississippi in other ways, promoting recreation and ensuring waterlife in the river is protected. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, Missouri Senators Christopher Bond and James Talent and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin are co-sponsors of the legislation.
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