Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2007

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

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Mr. WICKER. Mr. Chairman, I seek this time in order to enter into a colloquy with Chairman Hobson. The colloquy is regarding the construction of mooring facilities on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Columbus, Mississippi.

A new $800 million steel plant, SeverCorr, is bringing over 500 jobs to Lowndes County. Given that the average wages for hourly workers will approach $70,000 annually, each one of these jobs is likely to be transformational for the families involved.

The SeverCorr project is the largest private construction project in the United States this year. A large amount of SeverCorr's raw materials and finished product will be shipped utilizing the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway beginning in June 2007. The company expects to use approximately 50 or 60 additional barges each month. However, there are no mooring facilities along this portion of the Tennessee-Tombigbee.

Presently, if an operator needs to moor a barge temporarily or overnight, the operator may tie the barge to one of several trees along the bank. This situation will clearly present a significant threat to navigation safety once the steel plant begins operation. Absence of a mooring facility could also present operational challenges to the smooth and safe transport of materials and inhibit this critically important economic activity.

I understand that the bill continues a moratorium on new projects by the Corps of Engineers. However, I hope the chairman will work with me to identify ways the committee can help support the important economic development taking place in my district along the Tennessee-Tombigbee.

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