Sorry for the cross postings but I wanted to make sure everyone in the midwest got this. This information comes by the way of Mark Beorkrem. He is director of a sustainable ag NGO in IL and a member of Sierra Club's Corps Reform Task Force and other entities in the club. This highlights a common flaw with the Army Corps of Engineers, not using reality to base their decisions. Mark says: A little over 21 Million tons through Lock 15 in 2004, the lowest since the 19 M tons went through in 1993, the flood year. There was a less than 10 day shutdown due to a miter gate change, which of course the industry will claim is the reason for the drop. I got called first by the QC Times and the reporter (Anne) is well prepared to question the Corngrowers. I also referred her to the President's press last week regarding deficits and the target of the Corps budget as one place they'll try to hold the line to keep deficits under control. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.296 / Virus Database: 265.6.2 - Release Date: 12/20/2004 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp