May 07, 2021

Duckworth Tours Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River Base

 

[ST. LOUIS, MO] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—who serves as Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife—today visited the Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River Base to tour the facility and meet with officials from the U.S. Coast Guard, including Sector Commander Captain Richard M. Scott. Duckworth and the officials discussed the Maritime Transportation System, which includes the coordination of locks, marine terminals and waterways, as well as the Sector Upper Mississippi River Mission, which includes the protection of natural resources and directly supports national security. Photos from today’s visit are available here.

“I had a good discussion with Coast Guard personnel about the importance of efficient navigation on the Upper Mississippi river and how Congress can help the Upper Mississippi River Base achieve its goals,” Duckworth said. “Federal infrastructure investments are critical to the safety of our communities and businesses, support good-paying jobs and can help protect the environment and improve water quality as well. I will continue working to support infrastructure throughout our inland waterways and help grow our local economies.”

Yesterday, Senator Duckworth toured the Melvin Price Lock and Dam and met with officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ceres Barge Line and the Waterways Council, Inc. As a member of the EPW Committee, Duckworth worked to secure provisions last Congress within the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) 2020 Reauthorization, including authorizing the construction of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam Project.

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