Officials: While challenging, river transportation is more economical

House committee visits New Madrid Port

jillb@standard-democrat.com

MARSTON -- Ed Williams, director of operations for Riceland at the New Madrid County Port, held up two photos for the visitors to see - one showed water lapping at the top of the port's slack water harbor while the second showed the Mississippi River barely covering the dusty harbor banks.

What a difference a year makes, he told the members of the House Issue Development Committee on Missouri Ports. From flooding to drought, Riceland still depends on the port and the river for moving 80 percent of the 15 to 17 million bushels of rice brought to its facility at the New Madrid County Port, according to Williams.

"The river offers a lot of challenges," Williams said. However, he continued, using river transportation is more economical.

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