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Illinois drought affecting exporting

By WEEK Reporter
December 5, 2012 Updated Dec 6, 2012 at 10:46 AM CDT

ILLINOIS -- This year's drought continues to affect the state and its economy.

 

Freight companies have already started pulling barges that transport Illinois crops and commodities off the Illinois and Mississippi River because of low water levels.

 

This is typically the peak of the grain export season when millions of tons of soybeans are sent overseas to buyers each week.

 

Some grain terminals have stopped selling to ports exporting from the Gulf of Mexico out of concern they will not be able to deliver shipments there because of the low river levels in Southern Illinois.

 

The situation is being worsened by a decision to reduce the amount of water that flows into the Mississippi River from the Missouri River.

 

On Friday, Illinois lawmakers are holding a meeting urging federal intervention into the issue.

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