Last week the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the $9.3 billion Water Resources and Development Act legislation. Waterways Council Director of Government Relations Tracy Zea says they’re pleased lawmakers are moving forward with lock and dam construction and maintenance.

He says they were able to keep user fees from being put into the measure which would have been detrimental for ag shippers trying to get their commodities out to foreign customers.

Zea says the inland waterway system is the most efficient and least expensive way for ag producers to transport their goods.

Zea expects the full Senate to pass the WRDA Bill in the next two weeks and the House to mark it up sometime in late May. He’s hoping it’ll get full Congressional approval yet this year.