This article has been reprinted from the Dec. 26 USDA Grain Transportation Report.
The Energy and Water Development Spending Bill funds the civil works program of the Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) at $7.65 billion, $652 million above the FY 2019 level and $2.69 billion above the budget request.
Notably, the construction-cost share for Chickamauga Lock is 65 percent for general revenue funding and 35 percent for the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) (compared to the traditional 50/50 split), with the aim of reducing final project costs and speeding completion on current construction.
In addition, the bill will fully use the estimated receipts and previous year’s revenues of IWTF, resulting in a $317 million investment level for FY 2020.
Investigations are funded at $151 million—a $26 million increase above the FY 2019 level and $74 million above the request—and enable funding for studies in the 2020 USACE work plan.
Construction will be funded at $2.68 billion—a $498 million increase above the FY 2019 level and $1.37 billion above the request.
Operation and Maintenance are funded at $3.79 billion—an increase of $1.86 billion above the request.
The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund projects will receive $1.63 billion—an increase of $665 million above the request. Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries (MR&T) will receive $375 million.