ROCK ISLAND, Illinois, Dec. 8 -- Augustana College issued the following news: Good projects with the greatest reach take time, money and passion. Augustana students and professors are in year seven of the Sustainable Urban Watersheds research project to improve the health of local streams. Their work is through Augustana's Upper Mississippi Center for Sustainable Communities (UMC). Each year, about 80 students and faculty members from several academic disciplines measure and assess contaminat  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 9 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following statement on Dec. 8 by Elizabeth Gore, senior vice president for political affairs: * * * Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed with overwhelming bipartisan support S. 1811, the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA), a key piece of legislation that authorizes vital projects and priorities in the nation's water infrastructure systems, such as advancing natural infrastructure to reduce flood risk and incre  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- The House Agriculture Committee issued the following testimony by Alcorn State University President Felecia M. Nave as part of a virtual hearing entitled "1890 Land Grant Institutions - 130 Years of Building Equity in Agriculture" on Dec. 9: On behalf of our nearly 3,300 students, more than 600 faculty and staff, and over 25,000 alumni thank you, Madame Chairwoman, for the opportunity to provide comments regarding 1890 Land Grant Institutions - 130 Years of Building Equit  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- The House Agriculture Committee issued the following testimony by Paul Jones, president of Fort Valley State University, as part of a virtual hearing entitled "1890 Land Grant Institutions - 130 Years of Building Equity in Agriculture" on Dec. 9: I am Paul Jones, and I have the privilege of serving as the tenth president of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in Middle Georgia. I am honored to speak to you today, along with my distinguished colleagues, to testify in supp  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) announced that several of his bipartisan measures were included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) passed by the House of Representatives today. These Portman-led measures will protect and improve the Great Lakes by preventing Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, promoting navigation, providing additional funding to maintain our harbors, and  more

WEST PLAINS, Missouri, Dec. 9 (TNSGra) -- Missouri State University's West Plains Campus issued the following news release: Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will receive nearly $130,000 from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to purchase equipment that will help students train for advanced workforce positions in robotics. Late last month, DRA officials announced the $130,000 award through its Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP). University officials said the funds will be used to  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 9 -- The National Marine Manufacturers Association issued the following news release: Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the 2020 Water Resources Development Act (S. 1811), which includes several recreational boating industry priorities that NMMA recently outlined in a letter to congressional leaders. The legislation - commonly referred to as WRDA - is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law before the end of the year. "Investin  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 10 (TNSRep) -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news: America's Watershed Initiative (AWI) released its second Mississippi River Watershed Report Card, resulting in a grade of C- for the entire watershed, which covers more than 41 percent of the continental United States and 31 states. The Mississippi River Watershed Report Card brings together data from multiple sectors and basins, allowing an examination of the status and trends in the watershed. The repo  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Cynthia Axne, D-Iowa, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) and the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously advanced a revised version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which authorizes Army Corps of Engineers flood prevention projects, repairs locks and dams, and addresses water management issues. "I'm proud that Congress has been able to come together in a bipartisan fashion and get this important legisla  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Missouri, issued the following column: Surrounded by more miles of shoreline than the entire state of California - over 1,100 - Missouri's Third District is home to beautiful views, an abundance of activities for water lovers, and critical water resources for not just our state but the entire nation. Along with great opportunities for Missourians, these many miles of shoreline also come with their challenges making our district no stranger to fl  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) helped pass the final bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. This legislation, which was first passed by the House in July and has been finalized by bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, authorizes Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) water resources projects to strengthen our locks and dams, improve inland waterways, invest in flood damage re  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today was pleased to see the Water Resources Development Act pass the House, a measure which includes his language transferring the operation and maintenance of the Memphis flood control system to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Worked out in collaboration with the City of Memphis, the change   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Angela Craig, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig supported the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) conference report, which passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. This key legislation contains Craig's priorities with funding and language to strengthen Minnesota's locks and dams, improve inland waterways, invest in flood damage reduction and update water inf  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Tuesday voted to help pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 conference report. The package is the final compromise legislation between the bipartisan House and Senate versions of WRDA. Voting on the legislation is part of a bipartisan effort to pass this critical legislation into law before the end of the year. The legislation will invest in key lock  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: Rep. Mike Gallagher, a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, today released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources and Development Act of 2020. The bill, which passed the House unanimously, authorizes projects to improve flood and storm protection, strengthen our ports and harbors, and protect inland waterways. "T  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Garret Graves, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) secured several provisions that will advance Louisiana's flood control, ports, inland waterways, hurricane protection, coastal restoration and other infrastructure priorities in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). Graves, as a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is positioned to advance the Army Corps of Engi  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: Today, after negotiations between the House and Senate were completed, the final Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) (S. 1811) was approved by the House of Representatives. S. 1811 represents an agreement between House and Senate committees on final WRDA language, based in part on H.R. 7575, which passed the House by voice vote in July 2020 and was introduced by House Committee on Transpor  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted for the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out vital water infrastructure projects and studies. The bill would boost our economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic by creating jobs while investing in necessary projects like flood damage reduction, shoreline protection, inland waterways improvemen  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Illinois, issued the following news release: Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) voted in support of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which will provide critical support for Illinois locks and dams and waterways, provide rural communities additional resources in addressing flood risk needs, and strengthen Illinois' agriculture competitive advantage in the global economy. "In central and west-central Illinois, which is uniquely positione  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Missouri, issued the following statement on Dec. 8: * * * Today, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) released the following statement regarding Congressional passage of the 2020 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which includes several Third District priorities. "Every two years, Congress is tasked with ensuring America's water resource infrastructure capabilities are maximized to benefit the communities they serve. "With the Missouri   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 Conference Report. Congressman Garret Graves (R-La.) also offered a statement. Statement from Whip Scalise: "Today the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA), which includes important provisions I added that will strengthen floo  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing $1.24 million in federal funds to the Port of New Orleans to replace various diesel-powered trucks with lower emission vehicles at port facilities in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. "It's vital that we strive to achieve clean emissions standards at our ports and other fa  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release on Dec. 8: U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that several of her key priorities passed the House today as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. The bipartisan legislation will make critical investments to address water infrastructure needs across the country and in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River regions. Building on her work from the 2014 Water Resources Development Ac  more

STARKVILLE, Mississippi, Dec. 9 -- Mississippi State University issued the following news: A new water management system installed at Mississippi State's R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center is elevating the university's research capabilities as scientists develop solutions for farmers in Mississippi and across the Midsouth. Advanced Drainage Systems, a leading manufacturer in drainage and irrigation, selected MSU as a Midsouth research site for the state-of-the-art water management system,  more

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Dec. 12 (TNSRes) -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news: In The Shattered Cross, U of A associate professor Linda Carol Jones explores the lives and work of five priests of the Seminaire de Quebec, the first French Catholic missionaries to serve along the Mississippi River between 1698 and 1725. Using an array of archival holdings in Quebec and France, Jones provides deep insight into the experiences of these pioneer priests and their interactions with   more

VICKSBURG, Mississippi, Dec. 11 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Vicksburg District issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published its Final Supplement No. 2 (Final SEIS No. 2) to the 1982 Yazoo Area Pump Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (2007 FSEIS), in the Federal Register today, Dec. 11, 2020. The combination of more frequent and significant flooding; substantial environmental, economic, and safety concerns; and new and improved environm  more