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LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

The Water Resources The Water Resources

Development Act of 2016:Development Act of 2016:

Reclaiming Our Transportation Infrastructure

By Jim Romeo n the United States, transportation infrastructure is the Recently enacted by the 114th Congress and signed by bedrock of our supply chains. Ports and waterways in President Obama, it authorizes the Army Corps of Engi-

I the United States moved over 2.3 billion tons of goods neers to improve navigation and ? ood management, con- in 2014. A robust maritime infrastructure to support such struct projects to mitigate storm damage and assist local ports and waterways helps goods to move freely and aid and state governments as well as many other provisions in more ? ow of trade and ultimately greater economic outlined in the text of the legislation.

stimulus. Port authorities and waterways commissions are always seeking better ways to increase cargo volume and Strengthening Supply Chains subsequently aid their surrounding states and regions - Strengthening and enhancing supply chains is an ex- which all bene? t the overall commerce of our nation. pected bene? t from WRDA. “Clearly, freight transporta-

In response to this omnipresent demand, The Water tion is a major component of supply chain processes and

Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), therefore a primary focus of supply chain management,” comprehensive legislation that includes the Water Resources explains Dr. Bruce G. Ferrin, Associate Professor, Haworth

Development Act of 2016 (WRDA 2016) has made its way College of Business, Western Michigan University, Kalam- through Congress and attends to the need for strong and ca- azoo, Michigan.

pable waterways – from channel depths to widths and other “Supply chain designs and strategies follow transporta- needed parameters to accommodate more cargo volume. tion processes and costs as government funding improves 41 www.marinelink.com MN

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