Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson took a tour of the SEMO Port Friday to get a look at how they are adjusting to low water in the midst of an exceptional drought in our area.  The River level in Cape is at 9-and-a-half feet.  That’s putting a strain on barge traffic at the Port in Scott City.  They are using a private dredging operation this month to allow for barges to move grain safely in and out of the terminals.  Emerson tells KZIM KSIM she also introduced emergency livestock relief this week in Congress to help with grazing losses and livestock deaths.  Emerson says if we don’t renew these programs many livestock businesses are going to be left out of the disaster assistance meant for them.  We can’t allow that to happen.  This drought demands a complete response to protect a vital component of the American food supply and the economy.  Emerson also toured the new rail system from the SEMO Port to Cape, which was built thanks in part to a 1-point-3-million dollar federal grant to help with grain shipping.