Missouri funding for ports to dry up

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Citing a U.S. Corps of Engineers study, Pemiscot County Port Authority chairman Duane Michie says every $1 invested in river ports yields a $6 economic return.

With Missouri's continuing financial problems, however, taxpayer contributions to the state port system, which have already slowed to a trickle, are slated to dry up for the upcoming fiscal year.

Gov. Bob Holden's proposed budget for fiscal year 2004, which begins July 1, calls for just $150,000 for the Missouri Department of Transportation's waterways program. That money would be evenly split for operations of river ferries in Mississippi and Ste. Genevieve counties.

"There would be no administrative funds for ports," said Jan Skouby of MoDOT's railroads and waterways program.

Michie said the general public doesn't understand the importance of barge traffic to the state economy.

"Missouri has more inland waterway miles than any other state in the nation," Michie said. "We're only going to spend $150,000 -- and that's for two river crossings. I think that is unfortunate."

Michie, who is also a member of the State Highways and Transportation Commission, said barges are the most cost-effective method for businesses to transport bulk goods.

"We can ship a bushel of grain from our harbor in Caruthersville to New Orleans -- 900 miles -- for the same freight rate as shipping a bushel of grain by truck from Caruthersville to Cape Girardeau," Michie said.

It would take 1,800 tractor-trailer loads to equal one 30-barge tow, Michie said.

The state spent $454,000 for its 12 ports during FY 2001. That amount slipped to $412,000 for FY 2002.

Holden's original FY 2003 budget proposal eliminated waterways funding entirely. However, the Legislature ultimately appropriated $240,000.

Must rely on fees

Most of that money -- $75,000 apiece -- went for the two river ferries. The Dorena-Hickman ferry in Mississippi County is a joint venture with Kentucky, which matches Missouri's appropriation. The Ste. Genevieve County ferry is funded solely by Missouri with no assistance from Illinois.

With so little money left over, only four ports, including those in New Madrid and Pemiscot counties, are receiving support for operating expenses this year. Unless lawmakers can fund money to maintain spending on ports, they will have rely solely on fees to maintain operations next year.

Because of last year's cuts the Southeast Missouri Port Authority in Scott City has already become self-sufficient. However, the lack of state help has made it more difficult for the port to improve infrastructure, which in turn attracts more business and boosts the region's economy.

State Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Cape Girardeau, told local port officials he will try to preserve waterways existing spending but ruled out any increases, despite the obvious economic benefits ports provide.

"We'll do what we can to keep this year's funding levels but there is nobody shooting for the moon here and asking for more money," Lipke said.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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