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THE IMPACT OF NAVIGATION USER CHARGES ON THE TRANSPORTATION OF GRAIN ON THE MISSOURI RIVER
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of navigation user charges on grain shipped on the Missouri River. Chapter 1 provides background information on water transportation. The Missouri River is part of the Mississippi River System and the most important commercial product shipped on the river is grain. Chapter 2 discusses the navigation user charge controversy. Beginning with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, our nation has had a policy of waterways free of any tax or duty. However, in 1978, Congress passed legislation imposing a uniform tax on diesel fuel consumed by towboats and the tax is expected to recover 20 to 25 percent of the costs attributable to commercial navigation. But Congress is considering legislation that imposes a higher level of recovery, evoking considerable debate and lobbying. Those in favor of navigation user charges feel that full recovery of Federal expenditures is equitable and would increase economic efficiency. The opponents of the tax disagree and also argue that the public or social benefits of commercial navigation are great enough to warrant subsidization of our inland waterways. Chapter 3 discusses the major types of navigation user charges and methods of collection. Then the level of taxation required to recover the operation and maintenance expenditures allocated to commercial navigation by the U.S. Army Crops of Engineers is calculated. In Chapter 4, the impact of the tax on Missouri River grain traffic is analyzed. Utilizing the aforementioned level of taxation, the increase in transportation cost of shipping grain is ascertained. Then the added transportation cost is compared to the transportation rate savings, and since the rate savings are less than the added transportation cost, the grain traffic will be diverted. It is concluded in Chapter 5 that the loss of grain traffic may result in the closing of the Missouri River to commercial barge traffic. The decline in farm income due to the closing of the Missouri River is then determined. Finally, it is decided that additional research needs to be conducted.
Subject Area
Economics
Recommended Citation
WELDING, JOHN C, "THE IMPACT OF NAVIGATION USER CHARGES ON THE TRANSPORTATION OF GRAIN ON THE MISSOURI RIVER" (1984). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8506968.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8506968