Columbia-Snake River Stakeholders to Collaborate on Mississippi River Tour
TL;DR
Participation in the Mississippi River Tour provides valuable insights for gaining a competitive advantage in the Columbia-Snake River System industry.
The tour aims to understand challenges faced by other river systems and how they are investing in those systems to maintain good working order.
The collaboration and knowledge sharing among river user groups can lead to better protection and strengthening of river transportation systems, benefiting the industry and the environment.
Port of Lewiston General Manager Scott Corbitt and other participants are excited to learn about commerce on the Mississippi River and the challenges to river navigation and barging.
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Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) and other advocates of the Columbia-Snake River System are set to embark on a Mississippi River Tour from June 24-28. The tour aims to understand the challenges faced by other river systems and learn how they are investing in infrastructure to maintain operational efficiency for the future.
Joining WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings on this tour are representatives from Port of Lewiston, Shaver Transportation, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Columbia River Pilots, and American Cruise Lines. The group represents a broad spectrum of Columbia-Snake River System users and industries that rely on this critical infrastructure, also known as Marine Highway 84 or M-84.
"It is vitally important that we collaborate and work with other river user groups across the U.S., as they face many of the same challenges we do, such as funding to maintain system infrastructure, misleading lawsuits that impede river operations, and extreme climate events that negatively impact river traffic," Hennings stated. "This trip is an opportunity to establish relationships across the country and pool our shared knowledge and experiences to better protect our river systems."
Port of Lewiston General Manager Scott Corbitt expressed his enthusiasm for the trip, stating, "I am excited to learn more about commerce on the Mississippi River and the ports that make it happen. We can learn a lot from each other, especially regarding the challenges to river navigation and barging. I am very excited for the opportunity."
Columbia River Pilots President Jeremy Nielsen commented, "This trip is an opportunity to understand the uniqueness of each river system as well as sharing concerns common to both systems. My hope is this will lead to future political collaboration aiding to protect and strengthen our river transportation systems."
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association's Anthony Peña added, "Our organization is looking forward to this opportunity to forge new partnerships and learn from the maritime sector along the Mississippi River. This opportunity is a moment to elevate and highlight the importance of both our inland waterway systems."
During the five-day trip, the Columbia-Snake River System group will present at an Upper Mississippi River Association meeting, visit one of the locks on the Mississippi, tour several ports at the southern end of the system, and visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dam and levee simulation model and museum in Vicksburg, Miss.
Education and outreach are central to WAWG's activities, all of which aim to support Washington wheat families. Since 1954, WAWG has been dedicated to the enrichment of the Washington wheat industry as a nonprofit trade association. The organization relies on volunteers, membership dues, and donations to carry out its activities at state and national levels. WAWG monitors state, transportation, research, and natural resources policy and partners with the National Association of Wheat Growers to oversee national farm policy.
Related Link: https://www.wawg.org
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
