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June 12, 2006 -- Vol. 6 Issue 24 Written by Jack R. Simpson (unless otherwise noted), owner of J.R. Simpson & Associates, Inc. and contributing editor to The Waterways Journal.
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 In This Newsletter:
Thought For The Week
Sometimes there is lots of smoke but no fire. 
Editorial Comment From Jack
 Where does the Water Resource Development Act Stand? Frankly, I don’t know. There is a lot of activity surrounding the issue, but whether the smoke represents fire (progress) or not remains to be seen. At any rate, WRDA supporters should keep their congressional delegates in the Senate informed that they support passage of a good bill. There has been a decided effort by organized supporters of the inland waterways to get the Senate to put Water Resource Development Act 2006 up for consideration on the floor. Anyone who has been following the issue knows that we have not had a WRDA for five years and that while the U.S. House passed it by a wide margin last year, it has gone nowhere in the Senate for a variety of reasons. Having watched the annual struggles for funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 32 years, I am somewhat disappointed but not at all surprised by the antics of government. For the past 35 years, the resistance to any river work by the Corps has grown, particularly after passage of the environmental laws in the early 1970s. Since that time, the environmental movement has infiltrated nearly every crack and cranny in government at all levels, making progress toward continued river work difficult. Now, if things go as supporters in Washington believe they will, WRDA 2006 (or is it still 5?) will reach the floor this week. There are amendments being added and subtracted and rewritten and fattened to the degree that it is difficult for us to tell if the final bill will be worth passing or not. Even those right on top of the issues don’t know. A key issue is that detractors want legislation included that will, in short, hamper the Corps. There’s no other way to put it. Corps critics want vast oversight over Corps operations. Personally I think it is a bad idea. In my opinion, there is no other government organization, bar none, that is qualified to do the kind of work that the Corps does. There is no other agency that has the vast hands-on working experience of the Corps (more than 200 years). If the Corps is burdened by this vast oversight mechanism that environmental critics want, then these overseers will be depending upon Corps critics to provide the information they need to do their jobs involving oversight. It will be a totally one-sided affair. They seem to insist that they will not believe the Corps. While the Corps may have made some mistakes, what other government agency has not made them? The Corps is the only government agency that evaluates the projects it considers on the basis of the potential benefits/cost to the American public. I don’t believe — and I know critics of the Corps disagree with me — that the Corps throws around taxpayers’ dollars as other federal agencies often do. Having read about other major river projects for years, I know that the Corps has appointed committees for environmentalist representatives to have ongoing input into projects. It was true of the Tenn-Tom, it was true of the Arkansas Waterway, and it was certainly true of the Locks and Dam 26 replacement project —Mel Price Locks and Dam — on the upper Mississippi at Alton, Ill. Many of the criticism leveled at the Corps during the duration of the construction of these projects were unfounded. The committees had worked hand and foot with the Corps to see that environmental issues were considered at every turn of the road. So I disagree that the Corps needs oversight. In recent weeks, the Corps and its supporters have outlined the vigorous evaluation process that all river projects face before every reaching the point of being authorized. In the end, Congress decides to “build” or “not to build.” Congress decides whether to rein in the Corps or spur it on. I don’t know what will happen to WRDA this year. Staunch supports hope something worthwhile will emerge. While I hope right along with them, I am not so sure about the outcome. Like good soldiers, the supporters fight on year after year. But the critics, determined that their way is the only way, also fight on. The battle to delay and kill river projects is easier than the struggle to get them approved. Ultimately our system will further deteriorate if Congress does not support the Corps. Most importantly, North America needs a viable river transportation system. The whole world knows it. In fact, some in other nations are improving their own inland waterway systems in hopes of beating us to market, which, if successful, is an effort that will hurt our agricultural trade balance. Stay tuned!
For Those Inclined To Pray
 For those desiring prayer support for themselves or others, we invite you to join our Prayer Circle, which allows you to submit requests, thereby tapping into prayerful support of our 40 Circle members. There is power in prayer. Membership in the Circle and/or the submission of prayer requests is open to anyone and freë. Request lists are sent out via email, generally, on the day they are received. Come join us!
Newsletter News
My support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and commercial navigation is a personal matter, rightfully reflected in my editorials, but I try to be fair in the presentation of what we often refer to as “straight” news. I have had no experience with recreational boating and the treatment of the boaters by Corps personnel. I cannot defend or refute the letter of an individual (printed further down in B&B) who is highly critical of the organization. I can only say that it is new to me. However, I will not publish any letter that I recognize as coming from a shill for anti-Corps organizations and which merely echoes their talking points. There are lots of good personal comments again this week. Readers should know that we welcome them.
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On The Waterfront
Battle For WRDA Is On This Week There is not much to tell except that the battle to get the Water Resources Development Act to the Senate floor in an acceptable form is underway. The skirmish presently is over amendments that would, if okayed in one form, rein in the Corps. If changed further, the amendments might not be so damaging to Corps operations. But the battle is still ahead. We can only hope that something beneficial comes out of all this. We really have no timetable.
Congress Reportedly Authorized Study To Close MRGO The Associated Press reported Saturday that “Congress’ authorization of money to be spent by the Corps of Engineers to develop a plan to close the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet to deep-draft shipping had environmentalists celebrating this weekend.” According to the AP, “Congress last month authorized $3.5 million to draw up a plan to close the controversial channel, known locally as ’Mr. Go', at least to deep-draft shipping.” The 76-mile channel was built in 1963 and now is used by about 650 ships a year. (Editor’s note: There has been, as AP reported, much controversy over the channel. We suspect that the $3.5 million is more to evaluate both sides of the question to see if shutting it down will be beneficial or not. There are some major industries along the channel. There are also claims of great environmental damage. The study is probably worth doing.)
Anticipated Runoff For Missouri River Still Down Even though melting mountain snow contributed to Missouri River reservoirs in Montana and North Dakota, continued dry conditions throughout the central part of the upper basin make the anticipated runoff for the year only 77 percent of normal. Power production on the system is expected to be only two-thirds of normal for the year. The May runoff into South Dakota’s Oahe reservoir was only 30 percent of normal. Runoff for the year is anticipated to be 19.4 million acre feet (MAF), down 1.6 MAF from May’s forecast. Normal runoff is 25.2 MAF. System storage by the end of June is expected to increase to 38.9 MAF, the Corps of Engineers’ Water Management office in Omaha, Neb., reported on June 9. River flows to support navigation will remain at minimum flows. The navigation season is anticipated to be shortened by 34 to 51 days, depending on runoff this month. The final decision will be based on the water-in-storage check on July 1. Releases from Gavins Point Dam will be cycled up to 25,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) every third day during the early portion of the tern and plover nesting season. Once the plover chicks become mobile, a steady release of 25,000 cfs will be followed until it no longer meets navigation targets, the Corps said. Releases will then be adjusted to flow-to-target for the remainder of the navigation season. In related details, it was reported that the six main stem power plants generated 529 million kilowatt hours of electricity in May, only 65 percent of normal because of the low pool levels and reduced releases from the dams. The forecast for energy production in 2006 is 6.1 billion kilowatt hours compared to the average of 10 billion.
Towboat Festival Reminder This is just a reminder that The Great Rivers Towboat Festival will be held June 24 and 25 at Grafton, Ill., on the riverfront west of the historic Grafton Boat Works. If plans have been successful, festival visitors will be able to tour one of three towboats during the two-day event. Last year some 1,000 people took part in the tours. Great food, music and a variety of informational and other river-related booths will be available for festival goers. Demonstrations of radio controlled (RC) boats, a favorite attraction, is also being repeated. Admission to the festival is free, of course. For information, call 618-786-7000 or 1-800-AltonIl.
You can contact the editor dírectly at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com.
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From Our Readers
Re: The Warrior In reference to the pic of the Warrior, this is still very much in practice by the Parker Towing fellas. Went to spend the summer towing between Mobile and Yellow Bank during the drought of ’88 and saw the Parker vessels towing 8 loads ( maximum tow allowed) faced up to 2 loads down the middle with a string of 3 on either side with the stern of the tow square with the stern of the vessels. Dangest thing I ever seen. Needless to say, we yankees set over at every lock but it wasn’t long before the deck crew pointed out that the Parker boats stay faced up saving extra labor on behalf of the deck department. The captain told them that he wouldn’t consider such a tow “because it doesn’t look quite right.” As far as how those tows handled, couldn’t miss any more steers than we did that summer on the lil’ Miss Jules. Luke Moore
Re: Reader Criticizes Corps’ Handling of Recreational Boaters My comments on the Corps are far more personal than others made on your web site. They have to do with the lockmasters. I am a recreational boater, and I have been through hundreds of locks on most of the rivers in the eastern side of the USA. I have been shocked and outraged by the poor treatment and discourteous comments at the hands of the lockmasters who operate these locks. Their employer is the Corps of Engineers, even on the TVA system. The disdain for the recreational boater must pervade the organization, because if that were not so the guys at the top would put a stop to it. Recreational boaters may spend a lifetime working and saving in order to “go cruising” on our fine system of rivers and lakes. Imagine their surprise when the lockmaster of a lock (1) won’t answer them on the radio, or (2) refuses to give them an estimate of wait time until they can get a lockage, or (3) goes to great pains to sarcastically tell the recreational boater that he is at the bottom of the pecking order as far as locking through and that no one is of less importance than him, or (4) tells a towboat operator on another channel that …“it is up to you whether I let this rec boater in or not, the lock can go down empty without him, you decide, it doesn’t make any difference to me”, or (5) tells a rec boater that …“barges come first and I doesn’t care how many barges have gone through the lock, you are going to wait, and if another barge comes along while you’re waiting, I’m going to put him ahead of you and you can wait some more…”, or (6) says there is a system for making some time for rec boats between lockings of barges but cannot or will not tell you what that system is, or (7) tells you some rec boaters are so dumb that they ask the lockmaster which way the lock is operating, or (8) doesn’t monitor the channels the guide books say he is supposed to monitor and the recreational boater calls him on the telephone and he says he was on another channel you’ve never heard of, for 30 minutes, or (9) goes through a shift change while you’re in the lock, waiting for the lock to go up or down, and you sit for 30 minutes because they fail to communicate or continue the locking process begun by the earlier shift, and maybe all you need is for them to open the doors and let you out, or (10) answers a reasonable question by saying “…just stand by until we need you…” or “…just stay out of the way until we’re ready for you…” All of these are delivered in a disrespectful and discourteous manner, you understand. There are no places to tie up or wait for a lock to accept you into its doors; you either circle around, or anchor, and getting some idea of how long you might have to wait is always a reasonable question. “Split Loads” involve 3 to 6 hours or more to get through the lock, and the recreational boater would really like to get ahead of that process if he could. Sometimes he could without slowing anyone else down; at other times a few capital improvements would make it possible to move the rec boater through the system even in the middle of a long lockage of barges. Our Customs and Immigration people are not nearly as bad as the Corps, but to appreciate both situations, visit Canada. Their lockmaster and C&I officials are unfailing courteous, respectful, efficient, and they act with a sense of humor sometimes. Their locks all have a place to tie up and wait. Their attitude is friendly and helpful. They make you happy and appreciative; they make you want to come back. Some of the Corps lockmasters and some US C&I officials make you ashamed of being an American; they treat you like an animal or worse. If the Corps were serious about being “nice” to recreational boaters, they would institute a system whereby recreational boaters could easily comment on the good and not so good service they receive at the hands of those whose salaries they pay, and publish the results. They would have a clear and easily understood policy of locking through recreational boaters and towboats and barges in some system that makes sense to all concerned. The towboat operators are far nicer to the recreational boater than the Corps lockmasters, in my experience. On the water we can all help each other, and those guys really understand that. They would have a system of which radio channels are used by the bridges, barges, locks, and casual conversations that is the same on the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers as it is on the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers and on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Since they don’t have such a system, workers on barges and towboats as well as recreational boaters have to learn several systems and try to remember when to use them. It’s unnecessarily confusing. I personally would support some form of licensing for all recreational boaters so as to increase the competence of the cruising boater, improve safety, and improve relationships between the lockmasters and the recreational boating community. I do not know who would administer such a system. I would not mind paying a fee for the season in order to use our locks if that would help the overall situation. I have had rec boaters tell me “…you just need to give them presents when they lock you through…cookies, candy, drinks, etc…” Is that the way the system works? Is that the way we want it to work? How much is enough? This problem impacts the Corps in other ways, too. If I have been “mistreated” by a Corps of Engineers lockmaster, and I have a chance to support, or vote on, an issue that relates to the goof of the Corps, I might be inclined to retaliate by voting against the Corps in spite of the actual issues involved. I think there are a lot of people in our country who are “mad” at the Corps for attitudes of superiority and indifference and disrespect on the part of some Corps person or organization with which they have come into contact. I have strong feelings about this because I have been badly mistreated, in my opinion, by people who I expected to behave reasonably and respectfully, who were government employees of the Corps of Engineers. I wanted to go cruising to enjoy the outdoors and all of our nation’s beauty and our wonderful system of rivers, lakes, and locks; and the lockmasters ruined it for me with their bad attitudes and power plays. It’s so unnecessary! It’s so ugly! Why not be helpful and get along? How do you explain their behavior to your children? Aren’t we perpetuating a system of hate and disrespect here as well as other areas in our society? Thanks for the chance to sound off. I have written some administrators of the Corps to complain about a lockmaster, and I have gotten back letters almost as bad as the lockmaster’s comments. That’s why I think a bad attitude exists in the Corps throughout their organization. I enjoy your web site, and I am a member of your Site Ring and a book customer. Name Withheld Upon Request
Re: Who’s Who On The River? Could you ask in the newsletter if Bonnie Buerk who wrote in about St. Brendon is the same Bonnie Buerk who went to St. Rose School on the river in Cincinnati? Thank you. I am enjoying the newsletter, great work, Jack. Patricia Albers
Re: Towboat And Barge Fires I have written to you a few times in the past about the great job you are doing with your web site. I am a retired lieutenant from the New York City Fire Department and I now give fire-fighting drills to firefighters and mariners. Could you ask your readers if anyone has any photos of towboat or bargefires or any fires on any of our inland waterways? Thanks and keep up the great work! Tom Guldner (FDNY ret.)
Re: What’s In A Name? I can’t remember the name of the book that Capt. Walter Blair wrote. Do you remember the name? Marlene
Re: Tug Exhibition Being Created I am currently working with the exhibition staff at Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea to create and mount an exhibition about Tugs. We plan to open the show at Mystic Seaport in the spring of 2007 and tour the show nationally in subsequent years. TUGS will use stories, images, artifacts, activities, and audio/visual programs to present the powerful story of the tug and barge industry in America. The exhibit will explore big themes such as:
On our riverfront campus, we plan to host visiting tugboats on our waterfront, and develop interpretive programs for adult and young visitors. If you are interested in learning more, please let me know. chris.freeman@mysticseaport.org
Boat Photo Center
 Those of you who have not already seen them can feast your eyes on 20 more new posts in the Photo Center. They include: the National Venture from Dan Owen and the Boat Photo Museum; the Carl L. Johnson, Judith McDaniel, and Winnie C from Eric M. Johnson; two view of the John L. Rozance and three old shots of the Spike Crain (later the Mr. Lewis) from Brent Maletic; the Karla Bludworth from Ron Richardson; two of the Becky Ann from Charles A. Perrin; four varying views of the John H. MacMillan Jr. from Joe E. Brown; the Dreama Klaiber from Hugh Davis; two of the Andrew Cannava from Jim Mihalek; and the Mary Elizabeth from Richard L. Kurtz. Click here to see the latest pictures.
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The Book Beat
 A favorite book of mine is “Rivers of Kentucky” which is one of the most readable books I’ve ever come across. The authors traveled throughout Kentucky, including into the mountains where they conversed with those who live there, including the relatives of the famous Hatfields and McCoys. I was pleasantly surprised to find many detailed references about Kentucky sites I have visited, including the Mammoth Cave and its history. That alone is intriguing. The story about the river captain who was bribed to take a presidential candidate upriver rather than down river to Memphis to face off with his campaign opponent was most interesting. So you think rivers don’t play a part in what makes America tick? “Rivers of Kentucky” is written by a fine Kentucky couple, and it is a book that will most likely remain in your library if you choose to buy it. It can be read over and over again, easily, and remain a favorite. It’s just an outstanding, fun read.
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Tow Talkin'
June 12, 2006 By Kathy Flippo  There are a lot of tows going up and down the river in front of Clinton, Iowa, but I’ve got my nose to the grindstone packing up my treasures in preparation for the big move. I call them treasures. Someone else in this house calls it my junk.
Our local ARTCO harbor tug, the Mv. Trojan has been busy shuffling barges to and from the Camanche fleet, the Beaver Island fleet, Murray Island fleet to the Clinton Municipal Docks and the elevators at Fulton and Albany. The river is finally falling, so the crew spends a little time shaking the fleet also. Glad the Trojan is tall because even with lower water I can still identify her from my office window. When the ARTCO harbor boat that works primarily…to continue reading, click here. See you on the Web, Jack Little River Books jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com Don't forget to visit our web site! |
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