Senate passes WRDA to improve transportation for commoditiesPublished on 08/14/2006On July 19 the U.S. Senate approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2005. The bill authorizes $2.475 billion in federal funds for seven new locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The legislation will also provide for the creation of a major ecosystem restoration program. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) agreed with the Senate that updating the locks and dams is essential for U.S. commerce and the agricultural sector. AFBF President Bob Stallman said Argentina and Brazil have captured 50 percent of total growth in world soybean sales during the past three years due to improvements in their transportation system. | |