The US Senate on Dec. 15 approved the “Water Resources Development Act of 2022”(WRDA), which authorizes flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects for the US Army Corp of Engineers. The biennial legislation comes after months of negotiations to reconcile Senate- and House-passed versions of the legislation.
The bill, which authorizes $37.8 in federal funds for 30 new or modified Corps storm protection, harbor dredging, and other civil-works projects, passed the Senate with a vote of 83-11. The House had approved the bill seven days earlier on a vote of 350-80. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature, which is expected before Congress adjourns.
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) on Dec. 19 issued a statement supporting the bill. “Our nation’s transportation infrastructure is critical to agriculture and rural America’s competitive advantage in world markets, and WRDA provides vital support for that network,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “WRDA is the foundation for the modernization of our nation’s inland waterways and ports, which are an integral component of the fertilizer distribution system.”
TFI said this year’s WRDA reauthorization makes permanent a cost-share structure for inland waterways projects, where 65% of funding comes from the general treasury and the remaining 35% comes from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, a fund in the US Treasure that receives revenues from a tax on commercial barge fuel on federally designated waterways.
“Making the cost-share permanent will promote much needed investment for inland navigation projects, as well as provide confidence to industry that much needed maintenance and modernization of our inland waterway system will happen,” Rosenbusch said. “On a ton-mile basis, approximately one-fourth of fertilizer moves on the inland barge system, and these projects are absolutely critical to the safe and efficient distribution of fertilizers.”
TFI also highlighted the need for modernizing the country’s aging water infrastructure, noting a 700% increase in unscheduled work stoppages for repairs to locks and dams. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2021 infrastructure report card graded the nation’s inland navigation system a “D+,” adding that shipping delays cost up to $739 per hour for an average tow within the US.
In its annual report, the Waterways Council Inc. said approximately 9,700 tows with 55,000 barges were delayed by an average of 12.23 hours across the entire inland navigation system in 2020, resulting in an estimated cost to the economy of nearly $84 million.
“These delays are not only disastrous for the farmers who receive much of the almost 70 million tons of fertilizer each year via our nation’s waterways, they can also raise the prices of everyday goods and food for consumers,” Rosenbusch said. “The fertilizer industry appreciates the bipartisan work of Congressional leaders that have made modernization of our inland waterways a priority.”