House Subcommittee Urged to Prioritize Dredging, Other Port Infrastructure
On October 26, 2011, a House Transportation subcommittee1 held a hearing on the economic importance of seaports and whether the U.S. is prepared for 21st century trade realities. The hearing was held to consider future challenges to waterborne trade such as the expansion of the Panama Canal, the ability of U.S. ports to meet the President’s goal of doubling exports by 2015, and the need for more infrastructure investment.
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Dredging Should Be Higher Priority, Need More Port Infrastructure Funding
During the hearing, the American Association of Port Authorities spokesperson recommended that the federal government make dredging a higher priority; that Congress pass a Surface Transportation bill that results in more funding for port, freight, and landside infrastructure, including the TIGER program; and that Congress not cut or eliminate the Port Security Grant Program or environmental programs that benefit ports.
Process for Deepening Ports is Fair and not Earmark, Need to Maintain Funding
The World Shipping Council representative stated that the major east coast and gulf ports are at various stages of readiness to handle the larger vessels and volumes likely to result from expansion of the Panama Canal, with Norfolk, Virginia being the most prepared. Other ports have plans to seek Army Corps of Engineers funding for channel deepening projects, a process that the Council believes allows each request to be judged on its merits. The Council warned that criticizing port deepening projects as “earmarks” is misplaced and counterproductive and that this funding process has worked successfully for several centuries. It added that while marine terminal operators and ocean carriers are often willing to provide capital for improvements, receiving the necessary permits in a timely manner can also be difficult.
Among other things, the World Shipping Council suggested that the subcommittee continue its support for Army Corps of Engineers channel deepening and maintenance projects and enact a long-term highway reauthorization bill that includes due recognition of freight transportation.
1The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee