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OP/ED alterations but could be substantially improved with the • farmers depend on our waterways’ infrastructure implementation of NESP. Some of the ecological system to compete and win against producers outside improvements that make up this program include modi- the United States?

? ed dam operations, 65 backwater and island enhance- • ecosystem restoration improvements can allow ments, 29 side channel reconnections, 92 modi? cations to the ecological system to rebound and provide channel structures, and system ecological monitoring to improved water quality, ? sh and wildlife habitat, document the health of the river and to support riverine and supports a $1.2 billion recreational economy and riparian habitats. (1990 ? gure)?

We can accomplish two important missions with NESP: • the Panama Canal expansion to be completed next • Modernize our nation’s inland waterways to year will create opportunities for increased provide greater capacity and competition, and to American trade, but not if we under-invest in improve the most cost-competitive and channel dredging and our locks and dams are environmentally friendly transportation option for not functioning?

our bulk commodities utilized here in the • more than a half-million American jobs depend on United States and exported to marketplaces operational ports and inland waterways?

around the globe. And; • the waterways are vital to our manufacturing • enhance and bolster the river’s ecosystems and sectors and to the construction industry?

habitats that remain critically important to • American consumers bene? t from transportation sustaining a healthy river, and to managing this cost-savings made possible by the inland program for years to come. waterways; for every $1 invested in our inland waterways, around $14 is returned in national bene? ts?

NESP: B N • NESP will restore valuable river habitat such as

Y THE UMBERS

Back in June, more than 67 diverse stakeholders from islands, ? owing channels, and marshes which the conservation to agriculture to labor communities sent also provide ? ood water storage, water in? ltration letters to key appropriators on the House and Senate urg- for water supply, and process excess nutrients in ing that this PED funding be included in FY ’16 funding. the water to reduce the cost of water delivered

In those letters, they offered a number of important facts to communities that use the river as a drinking about the NESP program and about the waterways. For water source?

example, did you know that: • 60% of the nation’s export-bound grain is NESP is a quanti? able example of what could be a trend transported on the inland waterways? for the future of multi-purpose projects that bene? t many • an effective and ef? cient water transport system is entities. In this case, NESP’s bene? ciaries are farmers, con- essential to supply American farmers with fertilizer servationists, laborers, rivers, habitats, and our nation’s and inputs for planting seasons? economy. Let’s go!

November 2015

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