(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced that the Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study project team has suspended work due to a lack of funding in the fiscal year 2025 work plan.
The five-year study kicked off last year and was directed by Congress to identify actionable recommendations for the management of the Lower Mississippi River from Cape Girardeau, Mo., to the gulf.
Through comments submitted and during meetings with the project team, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) provided input on a variety of recommendations that should be included in the study, including the benefits of maintaining a 12-foot navigation channel from Cairo, Ill., to the gulf.
AWO was informed by the Corps that the 12-foot navigation channel would be included as part of the study and that the final actionable recommendations of the study would enhance and strengthen navigation on the Lower Mississippi River. AWO will continue to work with the Corps and the project team to ensure navigation is at the forefront of the study once additional funding is received and the study resumes.
– American Waterways Operators