MEDIA ADVISORY For Immediate Release February 22, 2010 * * *Contacts:* Christine Favilla: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>, (618) 462-6802 Glynnis Collins: [log in to unmask] <file:///C:[log in to unmask]>, (217) 344-2371 * * *Big Price - little benefit:* *Proposed Upper Mississippi River Locks Are Not Economically Justified* * * A new report from the Nicollet Island Coalition and supplemental economic analysis from Dr. Don Sweeney, Associate Director, The Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, evaluate seven new Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway locks proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Regional experts will discuss the economics of the proposed locks, including under-funded river restoration – and how taxpayers could be saddled with a $2.2 billion price tag for unnecessary lock construction. A Q&A session will follow. (Dr. Sweeney, former lead economist for the Corps’ lock feasibility study, will be present for questions regarding methodology.) *An embargoed (Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m. CST) copy of the report is available online at www.iwla.org/bigprice <http://www.iwla.org/bigprice>. * *When: February 23, 2010* 9:30–10:30am Central Time * * *Where: Trailnet (Confluence Greenway Office)* 1533 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO 63103 * * *Call-In Number: (877) 827-2963* *Conference ID: 56950549* * * *Please RSVP to [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> if you plan to attend or call in.* The Nicollet Island Coalition is a group of conservation and environmental organizations formed in 1994 to promote restoration of the Upper Mississippi River. Coalition partners from the Izaak Walton League of America, National Wildlife Federation, Prairie Rivers Network, and Sierra Club will participate in the press event. Best, Christine Favilla Three Rivers Project Coordinator Piasa Palisades Group of the Sierra Club 223 Market Street Alton, IL. 62002 Phone: 618.462.6802 [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> http://illinois.sierraclub.org/piasapalisades //"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci// - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp