The Quest to Fund Inland Waterways
Infrastructure Projects: Perhaps Not So Quixotic After All? Over the course of 2014, significant steps forward were taken in the quest to find additional sources of funding for inland waterways infrastructure projects. First came the long awaited and much-celebrated Water Resources, Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) in June, which included several provisions to address the funding needs of the ever-worsening condition of the inland waterways infrastructure. WRRDA eased…
WCI Recognizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) recognized the efforts of the U.S. Army, specifically Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Jo-Ellen Darcy, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for their efforts to protect the American public and safeguard the U.S. economy by keeping the lock and dam system on our inland waterways open and operating safely. WCI said the decision to keep the waterways open continues the long-standing recognition that the waterways – and personnel who operate them – are essential.
WCI Reacts to Obama’s FY ’14 Budget Request
Waterways Council, Inc. • This budget is steady-state with the overall funding level essentially the continuation of the post-sequester level for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program at $4.726 billion for FY ’14. • While details are still unknown according to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Administration’s per-vessel user fee proposal remains unwelcome by industry. • The proposed level of funding for the Corps’ Operations & Maintenance (O&M) -- $2.588 billion, is encouraging, but the funding level for its Construction account ($1.35 billion) is very disappointing. • WCI is pleased with the $75 million for drought-related activity on the Middle Mississippi River…
WCI Reacts to President's Budget Proposal
The US Waterways Council Inc. (WCI) has mixed feelings about the impact on their sector of President Obama's FY 2014 budget proposals. This budget is steady-state with the overall funding level essentially the continuation of the post-sequester level for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program at $4.726 billion for FY ’14. While details are still unknown according to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Administration’s per-vessel user fee proposal remains unwelcome by industry. The proposed level of funding for the Corps’ Operations & Maintenance (O&M) -- $2.588 billion, is encouraging, but the funding level for its Construction account ($135 billion is very disappointing.
WCI Executives Endorse Senate Waterway Bills
Waterways Council, Inc.’s (WCI) Executive Committee has endorsed two Senate waterways bills introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): “Mississippi River Navigation Sustainment Act” (S. 565) and “Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act” (WIN P3) (S. 566), co-sponsored by Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL). S. 565 would “provide for the safe and reliable navigation of the Mississippi River, and for other purposes.” Referring to 2011 flooding in drought conditions in 2012-13…
Bulk Transport Leadership: Merritt Lane
Drought and ensuing low river levels continue to affect the inland industry. Low water between St. Louis and Cairo, Illinois has threatened traffic on the Mississippi River since December. For months, dredging operations have slowed vessels at points along the river's course. Since December, a stretch at Thebes, Illinois, has been shut for much of each day as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removes rock pinnacles. A panel of five executives weighed in on a host of topics regarding inland transportation as part of a round table discussion published in the February print edition of Marine News.
Durbin: Demolition of Rock Pinnacles Could Begin Next Week
At the request of Midwest Senators, Army Corps fast tracked process to keep water and goods moving on the Mississippi River. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised the news that a contract has been awarded for the demolition of rock pinnacles in the Mississippi River and the work could begin as early as next week. In a November 29 meeting with Durbin and five other Midwest Senators, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, agreed to expedite the demolition process in order to help navigation on the Mississippi River.
AWO, WCI Address Mississippi River Conditions
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, Barge Industry and Shipping Industry Representatives Hold Press Conference to Address Ongoing Mississippi River Navigation Concerns Due to Continued Drought and Low Water Conditions. Representatives of the barge and shipping industries, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard, held a press conference on the Mississippi River near St. Louis to address navigation and shipping concerns, as well as government-industry cooperation in managing the Mississippi River during continued drought and low water conditions.
Low Mississippi Water Levels Threaten US Economy
The American Waterways Operators (AWO) & Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) warn barge transportation could stop in December. AWO and WCI call upon Congress and the Administration to address a developing situation on the Mississippi River which could effectively bring commerce on the Mighty Mississippi to a halt in early December. Water releases from dams on the upper Missouri River are planned to be significantly scaled back later this month and these reductions are expected to negatively impact the Mississippi River water level between St. Louis and Cairo, IL beginning December 1. Of particular concern are hazardous rock formations near Thebes and Grand Tower, IL, which threaten navigation when water levels drop to anticipated, near historic lows.
