Page 27: of Marine News Magazine (March 2021)

26 28

James Lowe / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers able,” he said, “which is meaningful for those of us in the supply chain business.”

Next steps

Hanson’s reference to the importance of a predictable legislative cycle is common among industry of? cials.

The nation’s waterways and harbors deserve regular fed- eral attention. WCI’s Zea called WRDA 2020 “a win for the nation, our economy and shippers and exporters.”

WCI, again like other groups, was clear in its message to House and Senate committee leadership: thanks for getting this done.

James E. Walker is director of government relations at

AAPA. Like his peers, Walker very much appreciates that

WRDA crossed the legislative ? nish line and the team- work—from all sides—to make that happen. He advises, though, that maritime groups shouldn’t take too much of a break from their advocacy. After all, the federal budget process, for FY 2022, starts in March. He noted, for ex- ample, that in April House and Senate committees could be marking up their bills.

“We have to keep in mind,” Walker said, “that WRDA 2020 calls for $600 million in waterways spending in FY 2022.” That raises the big question: Is all of that money clearly included in the Corps of Engineers’ federal agen- cies’ budgets?

You can be sure people will be watching closely.

www.marinelink.com MN 27|