U.S. public ports testified at a hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment about the continued need for federal government investment in maintaining harbors around the country to ensure the U.S. has the most efficient, safe and environmentally responsible marine transportation system in the world. According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, in 1998 alone, ports invested nearly $1.5 billion in updating and improving their facilities; an additional $9.1 billion of non-federal investment is expected before 2002. The federal government has historically funded 100 percent of navigation channel improvements as well as maintenance…