John Doyle, Vice President - Government Affairs, Waterways Council, Inc., shares with readers of MarineLink.com his insights on key market drivers for the coming year. What legislative/political issue do you count as the most important for the marine industry in the next few years? JD: Returning to timely, cost-effective modernization of the inland waterway system is the most important issue facing the inland segment of the marine industry today. Comprised of approximately 12,000 miles of river and intracostal waterways made navigable by 257 lock chambers owned or operated by the U.S.