Strong support for river ports

To the editor:

The column by U.S. Reps. Jo Ann Emerson and Kenny C. Hulshof, "Mississippi and Missouri rivers could relieve more truck congestion on interstates," accurately highlights the need for waterways as a low-cost, environmentally friendly method of transportation.

Barge tows move quietly and often out of sight for most people. A tow of 42 barges hauls the same freight as 3,024 trucks.

At 1,800 tons per barge, 42 barges haul 75,600 tons -- $5.4 million of corn from 18,000 acres or $14 million of soybeans from 72,000 acres.

A barge tow gets better fuel efficiency and pollutes less. It gets 514 ton miles per gallon of fuel, versus 59 for trucks and 202 for trains.

Many of the locks and dams above St. Louis on the Mississippi River and Illinois River, as well as on the Ohio River above Cairo, Ill., will need replacement in the next decade or two. Emerson and Hulshof, along with U.S. Sens. Christopher Bond and Jim Talent, have been strong supporters, but they face opposition from parts of the nation that do not understand the importance of waterways.

They have been strong supporters of Missouri ports, particularly in Southeast Missouri where agriculture is practiced on a world-class scale and requires a world-class transportation system. Thank you for presenting their views to your readers.

DAN OVERBY, Executive Director, Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, Scott City