Page 23: of Marine News Magazine (February 2017)

22 24

authorized dimensions because of backlog maintenance • The annual cost of O&M of the AIWW assuming the channel has been fully dredged in the past to the authorized length, width and depth • The annual O&M funding requested in the President’s FY 2016 Budget by District • The amount of O&M funding received in FY 2016

Although a report was not provided, the information showed that the estimated cost to return the project to the au- thorized dimensions because of backlog maintenance would be about $126 million. Once the waterway is returned to its authorized dimensions, it was estimated to cost less than $50 million in annual maintenance. These estimates do not discriminate between federal and non-federal monies, but are an estimate of overall need for the entire 1,100 miles. We believe that with a concerted federal and non-federal fund- ing effort, the most critical shoaling areas can be addressed and the overall maintenance needs reduced to a number more in-line with the annual maintenance needs.

Why are we cautiously optimistic in 2017? First, we are pleased that President-elect Trump proposed a trillion dollar investment in infrastructure development as part of his plat- form for election. Water transportation is clearly the most cost-effective and environmentally-sound means of freight movement. If estimates from the U.S. Department of Trans- portation are correct and freight movement increases by 45% by 2040, it will be incumbent upon us to develop and maintain all possible avenues for moving products in the decades to come. We see the AIWW as an integral piece of the puzzle for the eastern seaboard and the nation.

Secondly, although the amount of AIWW funding included in the President’s FY 17 budget is less than the

FY16 amounts, Congress provided additional funding for inland waterways and small, remote and subsistence navi- gation projects in previous years, and both houses of Con- gress included additional funding in their individual FY17 appropriation bills before the election. These funding cat- egories were included with bi-partisan support and we are looking to increased funding through future USACE work plans as was done in previous years.

Finally, we have a clearer picture of the O&M needs for the

AIWW. These estimates provide us a roadmap to pursue ad- ditional non-federal partners to supplement federal funding for their section of the waterway while continuing to pursue federal appropriations. This year holds plenty of unknowns regarding federal investments, but we believe we have new opportunities to raise awareness and secure additional fund- ing as we continue to be the Voice of the Waterway.

www.marinelink.com

MN Feb17 Layout 18-31.indd 23 MN Feb17 Layout 18-31.indd 23 1/26/2017 5:08:13 PM1/26/2017 5:08:13 PM