Ed.. being in public office is easy if all you do is spout off and look for ways to get attention for yourself. But getting good things done is usually very hard work and requires getting along with others, the kind of behavior you were supposed to learn back in kindergarten! Good column. Those of us who don’t see that Big River every day like you do need to be reminded more often how much it means for all Iowans. Even though it’s been years since I lived on River Drive in Davenport, I still miss it.
Well-said. Understanding the economic value of our inland waterway system can't be achieved with sound bites. It's complicated, but it is also the single most essential infrastructure investment in the long-term prosperity of the Upper Mississippi region.
If I might add a prologue to your Upper Mississippi infrastructure column which you dated to the 1990s. Discussion and studies on the impacts of expanding commercial navigation capacity by the proposed new 1200 foot lock chamber at L&D 26 at Alton, IL were underway in the Late 1970s when I coordinated the 3 (1 for each Corps of Engineers District) Great River Environmental Action Teams (GREAT) as a staffer for the Federal/State Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission. The Commission was abolished by Regan and responsibility for completing the then Upper Mississippi River Basin Master Plan (The GREAT Studies were rolled into the Master Plan development) was transferred to the Association of the 5 Upper Mississippi Basin States (UMRBA)
In 1981, I went to work for Governor Bob Ray as his Major Rivers Coordinator and aide for environmental & natural resources policy and management. There I represented Iowa on the Association.
The results of the Master Planning Process was agreement that the River is a remarkable resource for the country and with better management the 3 major uses of the River, commercial navigation, recreation, & environmental conservation/restoration, could all be enhanced.
The Master Plan was adopted by Congress in the 1986 Water Resources Development Authorization Act. The Act designated the States’ Association as the River Keepers. Construction of the larger lock chamber at L&D 26 began after enactment, and as is your point, funds were appropriated.
The ‘fear/concern’ of many was the stair stepping of bigger locks causing unknown environmental dangers. While I understand the economic importance of Commercial Navigation, I’m much more interested in an environmentally diverse and sustainable River system. So on the one hand that the next ‘stair’ - L&D 25. - took 35+ years to happen gladdens me
The new fleeting piers are very helpful and provide alternatives to illegally tying up to Trees. While working for Governor Ray I got him to veto a bill that would have allowed tying barges to trees. YEA!
Ed.. being in public office is easy if all you do is spout off and look for ways to get attention for yourself. But getting good things done is usually very hard work and requires getting along with others, the kind of behavior you were supposed to learn back in kindergarten! Good column. Those of us who don’t see that Big River every day like you do need to be reminded more often how much it means for all Iowans. Even though it’s been years since I lived on River Drive in Davenport, I still miss it.
Glad you highlighted this, Ed. The administration needs to do a better job publicizing it’s many accomplishments.
Well-said. Understanding the economic value of our inland waterway system can't be achieved with sound bites. It's complicated, but it is also the single most essential infrastructure investment in the long-term prosperity of the Upper Mississippi region.
If I might add a prologue to your Upper Mississippi infrastructure column which you dated to the 1990s. Discussion and studies on the impacts of expanding commercial navigation capacity by the proposed new 1200 foot lock chamber at L&D 26 at Alton, IL were underway in the Late 1970s when I coordinated the 3 (1 for each Corps of Engineers District) Great River Environmental Action Teams (GREAT) as a staffer for the Federal/State Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission. The Commission was abolished by Regan and responsibility for completing the then Upper Mississippi River Basin Master Plan (The GREAT Studies were rolled into the Master Plan development) was transferred to the Association of the 5 Upper Mississippi Basin States (UMRBA)
In 1981, I went to work for Governor Bob Ray as his Major Rivers Coordinator and aide for environmental & natural resources policy and management. There I represented Iowa on the Association.
The results of the Master Planning Process was agreement that the River is a remarkable resource for the country and with better management the 3 major uses of the River, commercial navigation, recreation, & environmental conservation/restoration, could all be enhanced.
The Master Plan was adopted by Congress in the 1986 Water Resources Development Authorization Act. The Act designated the States’ Association as the River Keepers. Construction of the larger lock chamber at L&D 26 began after enactment, and as is your point, funds were appropriated.
The ‘fear/concern’ of many was the stair stepping of bigger locks causing unknown environmental dangers. While I understand the economic importance of Commercial Navigation, I’m much more interested in an environmentally diverse and sustainable River system. So on the one hand that the next ‘stair’ - L&D 25. - took 35+ years to happen gladdens me
The new fleeting piers are very helpful and provide alternatives to illegally tying up to Trees. While working for Governor Ray I got him to veto a bill that would have allowed tying barges to trees. YEA!
I love the River. It’s my sense of place
Thank you, Ed. Important discussion.