Sanford Bishop: “I rise in support of H.R. 2311, the energy And Water appropriations bill. I commend the full committee, subcommittee…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2311, the energy And Water appropriations bill. I commend the full committee, subcommittee ranking member Visclosky, and especially Chairman Callahan for all their hard work, particularly on the Tri-Rivers project. Commercial barging on the Appalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers system is an important issue for our region's economic infrastructure. I am pleased to see the increased level of funding that this committee has appropriated. Recently, I traveled to Georgia and Florida with Members of the House and Senator Graham of Florida to observe the Tri-Rivers process firsthand. This is a very, very intricate, sensitive area and issue, particularly with Representatives from the three States of Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The ports on these rivers provide jobs and revenue, particularly for my area of southwest Georgia. The ports of Bainbridge and Columbus generate 548 jobs and over $15 million in wages. These jobs have a direct impact on the economies of small river towns like Bainbridge, Georgia. Revenue generated at both of the ports, that is, Bainbridge and Columbus, total over $40 million and in turn contribute over $1 million in State and local taxes. The barge system has many economic and environmental advantages that are often overlooked. Barging is energy efficient. An inland barge can transport more materials using far less fuel than other means of transport.”