JOC Staff | Feb 20, 2013 1:42PM EST
The Executive Committee of Waterways Council has unanimously voted to support The Reinvesting in Vital Economic Rivers and Waterways Act of 2013, which is sponsored by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
The bill is intended to establish a sustainable and cost-effective way to ensure that inland and intra-coastal waterways in the U.S. remain economically viable. The plan would prioritize the completion of navigation projects, improve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ project management and processes, reform project cost allocations, recommend an affordable user fee funding mechanism and realize a sustainable annual appropriation of $380 million, the council said.
The council added that the proposed law would preserve the existing 50-50 industry and federal cost-sharing formula for new lock construction and lock rehabilitation projects, include a cost-share cap on lock construction projects and increase by 45 percent (9 cents per gallon) the existing fuel tax of 20 cents per gallon that is paid by the barge and towing industry.
