PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Debra Colbert,
October 23, 2013 703/373-2278;
WATERWAYS COUNCIL, INC. APPLAUDS HOUSE FOR
PASSAGEOF WRRDA BILL
Arlington, VA –Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI)today applauded the work of the House of Representatives to pass the Water Resources Reform Development Act (WRRDA), H.R. 3080, by a strong bipartisan vote of 417 to 3.
WCI also commended the collaborative work of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, led by Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-WV), along with that of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, led by Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH) and Ranking Member Tim Bishop (D-NY).
WCI also offered thanks to the bipartisan efforts of Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL), the co-sponsors of H.R. 1149, WAVE 4: Waterways Are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency and the Environment.Included in H.R. 3080 are several WAVE 4 provisions to reform the project delivery processes of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; create a prioritization of authorized improvements base upon risk of failure and economic return to the Nation; and, provide needed adjustments to the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) to allow funds to flow to construct authorized projects by changing the cost-share formula for the Olmsted project.
WCI particularly appreciates the bill’s recommendations to help reform the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ process to deliver navigation projects on time and on budget. WCI also applauds the recognition of the enormous delay and cost escalation associated with the Olmsted locks and dam projectin Illinois and Kentucky. WRRDA reduces the amount to be paid from the IWTF to complete the Olmsted project from 50 percent to 25 percent of the project’s remaining construction costs. The navigation industry pays half of the cost of new construction and major rehabilitation of lock and dam projects from the IWTF, with the full majority of those funds going toward Olmsted’s completion with 24 other priority projects in need of funding.
WRRDA’s focus on increasing the spending of monies from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for channel dredging and port modernization was also applauded by WCI as a win for the U.S. waterways transportation network.
“The nation’s towboat operators, shippers, labor,port, conservation and agriculture group members that rely on an efficient, modern, viable waterways system are deeply appreciative for the passage of WRRDA today. Bipartisan leadership demonstrated by Congressmen Shuster, Rahall, Gibbs and Bishop resulted in passage of the bill, but more importantly, in strengthening our nation’s vital waterways transportation system. This bill will also create American jobs, increase exports, and keep our nation competitive in world markets,” said Michael Toohey, WCI President/CEO. “After a six-year delay since the last water resources reauthorization, WCI and its members await conference between the House and Senate for a strong final bill that should be signed in law by the President,” he continued.
Waterways Council, Inc. is the national public policy organization advocating for a modern and well-maintained national system of ports and inland waterways. The group is supported by waterways carriers, shippers, port authorities, agriculture, labor and conservation organizations, shipping associations and waterways advocacy groups from all regions of the country. Visit .
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