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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The 2012 drought has caused a significant impact
3on water levels on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers; and
 
4    WHEREAS, In normal years, the Missouri River contributes
560% of the Mississippi River's flow south of St. Louis; the
6river currently contributes 78% of the flow; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The United States Army Corps of Engineers has
8stopped the release of water from upper Missouri River
9reservoirs, which has negatively impacted water levels on the
10Mississippi River; and
 
11    WHEREAS, With the continuing and projected lack of adequate
12precipitation, in combination with reduced flow, barge traffic
13restrictions or even the closure of the Mississippi River
14channel are imminent; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The Illinois and Midwest economies depend on the
16efficient shipment of grain, fertilizer, and other commodities
17on the Mississippi River; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The President of the United States has the
19authority to declare an emergency; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
3CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the President to take emergency
4action to ensure water levels do not fall below a level needed
5by commercial navigation on the Mississippi River; and be it
6further
 
7    RESOLVED, That we urge the Administration to direct the
8Army Corps of Engineers to avert potential economic disaster on
9this vital avenue that American farmers use to get their goods
10into the world market; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That we urge the Army Corps of Engineers to
12expedite and fully implement alternative emergency measures to
13remedy this situation, including the dredging and removal of
14rock pinnacles in the Mississippi River south of St. Louis; and
15be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That we further urge the Army Corps of Engineers
17to deviate from planned operations outlined in the Missouri
18River Master Water Control Manual and exercise its authority to
19address situations when circumstances justify deviation from
20the plan; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
22delivered to President Barack Obama, the U.S. Army Corps of

 

 

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1Engineers, each member of the Illinois Congressional
2Delegation, and Governor Pat Quinn.