Upper Mississippi River International Port District

Welcome To

Red train by the Mississippi river
Mississippi river boat pushing cargo
Mississippi river boat pushing cargo under a bridge

About

The Upper Mississippi River International Port District (UMRIPD) was established as the 17th Illinois Port District in 2009. The district includes the full geographic extent of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties in northwest Illinois.

Port Districts within Illinois are a unique form of government, each of which has its enabling legislation aimed at encouraging and supporting the movement of goods via the Illinois Marine Transportation System (IMTS).

The UMRIPD's area of jurisdiction adjoins the Upper Mississippi River and includes Marine Highway 35, private marine cargo terminals, private railroads, public marina facilities, and freight-generating industries, as illustrated below.

Multimodal connections

Additionally, the District also includes undeveloped property at the former Savanna Army Depot which is currently being redeveloped as the Savanna Industrial Park (SIP), by the Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (JCDLRA).

The UMRIPD's recently completed Port Master Plan provides a roadmap to guide the district toward the establishment of a public port facility at the Savanna Industrial Park, with this stated goal:

“To prepare, adopt and implement a comprehensive plan toward the development and improvement of harbors, river ports, and port related facilities and services, and to increase foreign and domestic commerce through the harbors and ports within the Ports district”.

Vision

UMRIPD shall provide District-wide leadership for planning ports and related facilities, supporting and developing new infrastructure and services for the increased movement of goods and beneficial, sustainable use of river resources.

Goals

  • Prepare and maintain District-wide plans for port and related facilities.
  • Support maritime terminals and facilities throughout the District, including those not owned or managed by UMRIPD.
  • Acquire and develop lands for cargo-handling terminals and services, including but not necessarily limited to the Savanna Industrial Park.
  • Promote regional economic development, recreational use opportunities, and environmental stewardship.
  • Generate consistent revenues and become organizationally self-sustaining.

Generally, the main focus of Port Districts is to support marine cargo transportation and other maritime uses, but they also have powers and responsibilities related to the larger multimodal transportation system and regional economic development, including airports, railroads, marinas, etc.

UMRIPD's powers and duties are outlined in its enabling legislation (70 ILCS 1863/) Upper Mississippi River International Port District Act).

It should be noted that the primary “former military base situated within the boundaries of the district” referenced in the enabling legislation is the former Savanna Army Depot.

Key Provisions of UMRIPD Authorizing Legislation

Area

Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, with process to expand territory if desired

Duties

  • Study harbor plans and recommend changes and modifications
  • Investigate conditions and prepare and adopt a plan for improvement of port and intermodal facilities within the District
  • Acquire land and set aside or allocate for District purposes
  • Petition responsible public agencies for improvement of freight transportation and facilities within the District
  • Foster, stimulate, and promote shipment of goods and commerce through ports
  • Acquire, construct, own, lease, and develop terminals, harbors, wharf facilities, piers, docks, storage facilities, rail, and port-related facilities or services
  • Study and make recommendations for river resource management and environmental education

Approvals

Recommended changes in harbor plans to be approved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Rights and Powers

  • Issue permits for construction or excavation/deposition of material over, under, in, or within 40 feet of navigable waters
  • Prevent or remove waterway obstructions
  • Locate and establish dock and shorelines
  • Acquire, own, construct, sell, lease, operate, and maintain port and harbor, water, and land terminal facilities
  • Fix charges and collect fees for use of UMRIPD facilities
  • Locate, establish, maintain, lease, and collect revenues from public airport(s)
  • Acquire, improve, develop, or redevelop any former military base situated within the boundaries of the district; manage, lease, or sublease former military base property; maintain or reconstruct former military base property; own and manage utilities on former military base property

Finance

  • Apply for and accept grants and loans
  • Issue municipal revenue bonds consistent with state law

Non-Interference

District actions shall not restrict, limit, or interfere with the use of privately-owned terminals or facilities, common carriers, or public utilities without appropriate regulatory approvals and just compensation

Utilities

May create utility district and levy taxes to finance and maintain water, sewer, gas, stormwater, road, and rail, electrical, data and/or communications infrastructure

UMRIPD Modal Comparison

Barge is Best

Freight movement by barge is the most environmentally sustainable and cost-effective method of transporting bulk cargo. The graphic below shows a comparison of freight movement capabilities by mode of transportation - road, rail and river.

Cargo Capacity

Port Master Plan

To view the UMRIPD's Port Master Plan presentation, please click on the link below. The full Port Master Plan and its related Appendices (20MB) can be downloaded from the notices page.

UMRIPD Port Master Plan
Master Plan (PDF)

Agendas & Minutes

Click on the links to see the latest agendas and minutes. An archive dating back to July 2023 can also be viewed.

Agendas and minutes pre-July 2023 can be accessed at the Jo Daviess County website by selecting the year and scrolling down to UMRIPD.

Commissioners

UMRIPD's commissioners are appointed by the County Boards of Jo Daviess and Carroll County, with each county appointing one Republican and one Democratic commissioner. A fifth UMRIPD commissioner is appointed the Governor of Illinois.

Notices

This section of the website contains notices related to the UMRIPD's planning projects, Requests for Proposals/Qualifications, public meeting notices and other information of note to the public.

Mississippi River industrial boat

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