2015 will build upon the 2014 victories for the nation’s waterways. The Water Resources Reform and Development Act was signed into law last June, with strong policy changes resulting for 2015 and beyond: Olmsted lock and dam cost-share change (85 percent federal, 15 percent Inland Waterways Trust Fund); Corps of Engineers’ delivery process improvements; major rehabilitation cost-share change; increased Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund spending with set-asides for inland maintenance dredging and smaller ports work; and, duty enhancements to the Inland Waterways Users Board. In 2015, we hope to secure the promise of WRRDA through efficient appropriations’ funding that could allow $185 million to flow to other navigation priority projects that benefit the nation.
Historically, corps’ civil works mission funding has been woefully inadequate, but fiscal year 2014 appropriations funding was strong with $81.5 million-plus (navigation projects) and $2.86 billion (operations and maintenance. Fiscal year 2015 House appropriations saw $112 million-plus (navigation projects) and record O&M of $2.9 billion. WCI urges increased investment spending on the waterways for future agriculture and energy growth in fiscal year 2016 and beyond.
At press time, during the lame duck session in Congress, a proposal to increase the barge diesel fuel user fee was being debated. A 6- to 9-cent increase in fuel per gallon is supported by industry and could generate $25 million to $80 million annually for navigation projects.
At the end of 2014, National Waterways Foundation released a groundbreaking inland navigation investment and economic impact study that will change the conversation for 2015 and beyond. Read it here: http://www.nationalwaterwaysfoundation.org/documents/INLANDNAVIGATIONINTHEUSDECEMBER2014.pdf.
Inland transportation is critical to the supply chain and benefits farmers, shippers, manufacturers, steel producers, agribusinesses, towboat operators and just about every American consumer.
Michael J. Toohey, President and CEO, Waterways Council