Graves Applauds Designation of Missouri River as Marine Highway

Applies to stretch of river from Kansas City to Sioux City

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) today hailed the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration's decision to designate the Missouri River from Kansas City to Sioux City, IA as a Marine Highway. Graves and colleagues from the Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois Congressional delegations wrote to the agency in April in support of the designation for this stretch of the river, known as the M-29 corridor.

"This is great news for the communities in Northwest Missouri that benefit from the Missouri River as an economic resource," said Congressman Graves. "This designation has the potential to open up new possibilities for shipping and navigation on the river. It will allow ports in the Sixth District to access vital resources from the federal government in reestablishing a strong shipping presence along the river."

In their letter, the members also requested Marine Highway designation for the M-94 corridor, which runs along the Mississippi River from St. Louis to St. Paul, MN. That application must still be submitted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Louis, as well as the Mississippi River south of St. Louis, have both already been designated Marine Highways. According to the Maritime Administration, the agency has now designated 21 Marine Highway routes, and invested $130 million in projects supporting Marine Highway services, since 2009.

Last week, Graves and Luetkemeyer announced they had successfully included language in the House Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) ensuring the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has a clear, results-based strategy for mitigation on the Missouri River. Graves also held an August field hearing of the Small Business Committee, which he chairs, in St. Joseph on the economic benefit of the Missouri River.

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