Jim Gelbmann, an aide to U.S. Senator Mark Dayton, visited Austin Wednesday to discuss community concerns with citizens.

The visit is part of "a series of meetings throughout the state," that Gelbmann and Dayton coordinated to try "to figure out how the government can help to solve local issues," Gelbmann said.

"Mark is very sincere in his efforts to assist and improve southeastern Minnesota," Gelbmann said. "A lot of people in Congress are afraid to work aggressively to get federal dollars for state projects, but Mark feels that's why he was elected to office. He's very sincere in his efforts to bring dollars back for needed projects — underscore 'needed.'" Gelbmann emphasized.

Last year, that included $2.5 million dollars for flood control and mitigation. This year, Gelbmann said the senator is focusing on the possibility for increased rail traffic due to the DM&E acquisition of local railways and how federal dollars can be used to help more trains move easily in and out of the area.

However, Gelbmann added "it is unlikely we'll get money this year because it is unlikely we'll see a traffic increase this year. We probably won't see anything until next year or the following year."

Possible projects include the construction of a railroad bridge near the Hormel Foods Corp. plant and establishing whistle-fee zones for trains passing through residential areas.

Gelbmann also discussed other community concerns with the two citizens who attended the meeting: Austin City Council member Gloria Nordin and Gayle Bergstrom, a farmer from Adams and the vice-chairman of the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council.

Nordin explained she was concerned about the flooding that occurred in her ward last year and about the water quality of the area's rivers and ponds. She told Gelbmann that though the City Council is in favor of hiring a watershed coordinator, "the county hesitates … and that new farm bill Bush just signed, I wonder if we could get help for funding a watershed coordinator through that."

Gelbmann said he doubted any part of the new farm bill could be used for funding a watershed coordinator, but told her of other groups such as the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BOWSR) and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs (CREPS) which "may not have money to help with funding, but could direct you to organizations that do."

Bergstrom told Gelbmann that he was at the meeting because he was concerned about the condition of the lock and dam system on the Mississippi River. "A lot of crops go up and down that river and I know that for a few years, 60 percent of our crops have been exported. The problem is, the locks are too small, so the barges have to be split up to go through them."

Bergstrom said he would like to see an effort to enlarge the locks because "what can be carried in a 15-barge toll would take 870 semis or more than 200 trains."

Gelbmann said he would discuss the concerns both Nordin and Gelbmann had and said "no matter how many people show up for these things, whether it's two or 20, they're always successful."

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com