The National Grain and Feed Association and 19 other groups are asking House and Senate Appropriators for $3.1 billion for inland waterway funding. Grain and Feed Association Director of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Bobby Frederick says the money is needed for proper upkeep of locks and dams.
He says providing funding for inland waterways is all about economic development.
Frederick says even though federal lawmakers are focused on election year politics, they need to make sure the government keeps operating and funding waterways is a key part of their overall budget.
NGFA and the other groups noted in their letter to appropriators that in 2014, 73-percent of the volume of U.S. agricultural exports and 65-percent of imports were transported via U.S. waterways.
