Action teams for Upper Mississippi Waterway Association (UMWA) have been busy.   

UMWA has been involved in discussions to establish how communication and process hurdles can be managed on the Holcim Aggregate Backwaters project. UMWA members Zac Morris, Tom Schmit and Greg Genz have engaged in discussing where and how UMWA can help educate and connect others to understand the importance of how continuing operations and barge loadings on the river affects all users on the Upper Mississippi.  

The project proposes expanding the existing Nelson Sand & Gravel facility onto an adjacent parcel of land owned by the same party in the backwaters area of the Mississippi River. According to a Holcim document, the existing Nelson facility will exhaust its current minable reserves in approximately four years, given the current rate of mining, market trends and geologic variations.  

The Nelson facility provides sand and gravel locally and cost-effectively in the Twin Cities area for the various ready mix production plants. If the site move is not approved, it could cause prices on materials needed in a wide region to rise.  

This site ships approximately 650,000 tons a year of aggregate north from the current site. If Holcim’s operation is impaired to move onto the adjacent site, an inland site (if it can be found) would mean trucks would almost certainly be used for shipping and an estimated 450 barges a year lost from river business.  

“Retaining tonnage on the river is essential to the overall operating costs of the other users,” UMWA Executive Director Gary Williams said. “Having a critical mass of volume for fleeting services, and the fixed costs of providers split over a number of users on the river is essential to preserve the function and reliability of this important marine highway. Shifting the equivalent of 27,000 trucks a year onto Minnesota roadways makes little sense from a cost, wear and tear on roads, safety or environment point of view. Our message is one that simply shows the great weight that keeping materials on the river is a far better solution than alternatives and greatly outweighs any concerns or barriers that have been expressed by entities that might slow the continuation of aggregate being mined and shipped North on the river. We have a highly efficient artery for moving heavy material in the United States, and it needs to be utilized even more than it is today, let alone losing any commerce on the river in the future.” 

On another action team, association member Brandon Phillips, of Riverview Services, has also been busy voicing the needs that would be met and advantages provided to the river with a proposed mooring cell at Lock 10. 

“The proposed mooring cell at Lock 10 isn’t just a convenience—it’s critical infrastructure that supports both operational efficiency and environmental stewardship,” Phillips said. “By giving vessels a proper place to tie up while waiting their turn through the lock, we reduce unnecessary idling time and emissions, directly lowering the carbon footprint of river commerce. It also minimizes the need for vessels to hold position along the riverbank, which helps prevent shoreline erosion and protects sensitive habitats. This is a practical, forward-thinking solution that benefits the industry, the environment and every user of the Upper Mississippi River.” 

Both projects have had comment periods close and await next steps for their approval and or debate.   

UMWA members interested in joining either action team are encouraged to contact Morris on the Backwaters Project, or Phillips on the Lock 10 Mooring cell. Members can also contact Williams to be added.