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tion Engineering Design (PED) funding for the Three Riv- ers Project in Arkansas at $1.5 million. An additional $9.75 million is dedicated to PED and other project-speci? c study activity for inland projects above the allocation for the Three

Rivers project. Senate report language directed $4.5 million for PED for the Navigation & Ecosystem Sustainability Pro- gram (NESP) in FY20 and WCI believes that this funding for NESP PED should be included in the FY20 Work Plan.

Until the Corps’ Work Plan is released, WCI has an- nounced its Goals & Objectives for 2020 as follows:

Within the upcoming Water Resources Development

Act (WRDA) 2020: • Conform the cost-sharing for IWTF-? nanced construction projects to require 25% of the project cost to be derived from the IWTF and the remaining 75% from General Revenues.

This is the same formula used for Deep Draft navigation proj- ects to expedite channel maintenance work and dredging to be prepared to receive and capitalize on the economic opportuni- ties of post-Panamax ships calling on U.S. ports. • Authorize for construction all projects completing the

Corps of Engineers approval process including the Industrial

Lock modernization, the Brazos River Floodgate and Colo- rado Locks improvements.

On the issue of imposing additional fees on commercial operators (and therefore shippers): • Oppose additional tolling, lockage fees or other charges for the users of the inland waterways system.

On a potential Infrastructure Package in Congress: • Secure additional funding for the infrastructure of the in- land navigation system in a comprehensive infrastructure bill.

With regard to FY21 Appropriations: • Provide for the construction of inland waterways modern- ization projects at the maximum funding amount supportable by expected revenues into the IWTF.

• Increase overall Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program

Operations & Maintenance (O&M) funding (FY20 funding for O&M was $3.79 billion).

WCI has a plan for 2020 and the opportunities this year for modernizing our inland waterways are as clear as 20/20.

Michael Toohey is President/CEO of Waterways Council,

Inc., a position he has held since August 2011. Prior to that,

Toohey was a consultant for The Livingston Group from 2007 to 2011. He also served as Vice President, Director of Govern- ment Relations, Associate Director of Government Relations, and Senior Washington Representative for Ashland Inc. from 1998 through 2007. Nominated by President George Bush and con? rmed by the U.S. Senate, he was Assistant Secretary of the

U.S. Department of Transportation from 1992 through 1993.

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