River commission hears testimony on SEMO port dredging issue

Members of the Mississippi River Commission listened to testimony Monday against the recent decision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop dredging the SEMO Regional Port from U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and two representatives of the port authority at a public meeting onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi.

The commission, which consists of three corps general officers, three civilians and a member from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, oversees the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, which is to improve the river and tributaries between Cape Girardeau and Head of Passes, La. The commission visited the riverfront as part of its annual low-water inspection trip.

Before the floor opened for public comment, the commission's president and commander of the corps' Mississippi Valley division, Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh, spoke on current programs, followed by presentations on projects in the St. Louis and Memphis districts by corps commanders Col. Tom O'Hara and Col. Vernie Reichling.

Dan Overbey, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port, speaks to the Mississippi River Commission Monday, Aug. 16, 2010. (Fred Lynch)

Public presentations began with Emerson, who told the commission that the dredging issue at the port is critical, because many farms and businesses depend on it for access to the Mississippi River.

Although the corps has a contract with the port dating back to 1987 and has dredged the port 20 times since, an informal phone call from the corps in late spring informed the port the usual dredging of the harbor would not be done, said Dan Overbey, executive director of the port authority. The reason given then, he said, was that the port fell below a requirement to ship 1 million tons each year. After the port sent a letter formally requesting dredging, a different response was sent by O'Hara, which stated that Congress did not appropriate funds, Overbey said.

"He states that the agreement with the port allows the corps to dredge but does not require it. Further, he states that SEMO Port, 'while locally important, does not compete well,' among national priorities," Overbey said.

Furthermore, Overbey told the commission, the existing contract does not make dredging contingent upon receipt of earmarked funds from Congress, or mention anywhere million-ton shipping requirements for any periods or year averages.

In his statement, Overbey said the corps implies the agreement is waste paper.

Emerson said the 8th District did not receive any money from the president's budget for dredging this year and needs $360,000 to dredge the port. Overbey said the average cost of dredging is $360,000, but often the corps can get by with spending around $250,000, which is what the project would cost in 2010.

Emerson said she is hopeful now that a supplemental appropriations bill has passed that could make supplemental funds available for dredging. She told the commission she has contacted the assistant secretary of the Army for civil work and asked to use a portion of the funding from the bill in the district, and requested they follow suit.

Port authority chairman Kent Puchbauer told the commission the port has made commitments to its tenants and shippers and to the people of Cape Girardeau and Scott counties.

"They are depending upon us, likewise we are depending upon the corps," he said.

A significant number of jobs, around 100 at the port itself and more from supporting systems, also depend upon the port's continued operations, Puchbauer said.

According to Puchbauer, the port is financially sound but cannot meet the costs of dredging.

"The port has met and continues to meet all of its obligations per the local cooperative agreement, and we're asking no more of the corps than to fulfill its obligations," Puchbauer said.

The publicity regarding the corps' refusal to dredge the harbor, said Overbey, has caused some new business prospects for the port to look elsewhere.

The port has been dredged during Labor Day weekend in previous years. If dredging is not done before winter, the port may have to shut down because of low water levels.

Pertinent address:

10 Bill Bess Drive, Scott City, MO