Kaskaskia Cost-Sharing Agreement Signed

The Kaskaskia Regional Port District hosted a signing ceremony May 20 signaling the initiation of a feasibility study in partnership with the St. Louis Engineer District. St. Louis District Commander Col. Kevin Golinghorst and Kaskaskia Regional Port District Board Chairman George Obernagel each signed the Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement to enable both federal and non-federal funds to be used for the study, which is aimed at improving navigational efficiency at Terminal #2 near Baldwin, Ill.

The study and potential construction project is being performed under the Corps of Engineers’ Continuing Authorities Program, Section 107, which is one of nine legislative authorities under which the Corps of Engineers can plan, design and implement certain types of water resources projects without additional project specific congressional authorization.

During the signing ceremony, Golinghorst said, “It is an honor to be here representing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a partnership that will benefit not only the port district and the state of Illinois but our entire nation as we move forward on this endeavor.”

While the previous phase did identify a federal interest in conducting the study, the planning process will take several years to complete.

The St. Louis District, in coordination and consultation with the KRPD and other state and local agencies, will formulate several alternatives to address the problems at the terminal, which have been identified as shallow depths and narrowing of the oxbow channel, causing decreased efficiency and economic losses.