Feenstra Leads Community in Demanding the U.S. Coast Guard Continue Investing in the Missouri River

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) led a letter to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain Andrew Bender urging the USCG to reconsider its decision to remove 36 Aids to Navigation (ATONs) on the Missouri River north of Blencoe, Iowa and to continue infrastructure investments in the Missouri River.

Eight lawmakers and 53 local businesses, organizations, and leaders supported Feenstra’s letter.

“The Missouri River is critical to economic development across Western Iowa and supports the timely transportation of manufactured goods and agricultural products both within the United States and internationally. Iowa farmers, businesses, and manufacturers rely on the Missouri River to ship their goods and serve their customers. However, the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to remove 36 ATONs on the Missouri River threatens our region’s economic vitality and cuts off trade along this important waterway,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Alongside eight of my colleagues, 53 supporting organizations, businesses, local leaders, and Governor Reynolds, I am calling on the USCG to keep these ATONs in place and continue investing in the Missouri River. Many projects are already in motion to improve utilization of the Missouri River – including the new barge terminal project in Sioux City – and this decision by the USCG ignores the economic growth already happening because of the Missouri River. We must maintain navigation up and down the Missouri River not just for the vitality of our businesses but for the future growth of our region and the long-term success of our communities. I am an avid supporter of our inland waterways, especially the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, because the ability to ship Iowa made products around the world relies on a functional river system.”

The congressional letter can be found HERE and the local letter can be found HERE.

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