Page 11: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Jan/Feb 2018)

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D o y l e

William Doyle provides a primer on dredging projects, funding, and environmental safeguards when it comes to maintaining U.S. ports and infrastructure.

The Market: its intended purpose. The dredging strongly encourages ap-

American dredging companies compete for contracts to propriators to “hit the target” each year. Thankfully, the FY18 build and maintain vital entrance channels, ports, and wa- House and Senate appropriations bills do so. terways. Navigation infrastructure enables U.S. seaports to • More U.S. Army Corps ‘New Start’ Funds: The U.S. contribute approximately $780 billion to U.S. gross domes- dredging industry encourages Congress to provide more “new tic product (GDP) annually, including almost 15 million jobs. start” funds so that recently authorized navigation projects can

Well-maintained navigation infrastructure also ensures ready proceed to construction on an economical basis. The dredging access to strategic national defense ports. Failing to maintain industry also encourages Congress to support new start and our seaport infrastructure would undermine America’s abil- construction funding for coastal