News Flash
Stimulus News Release - April 28, 2009
National Waterways Conference Blasts OMB in ARRA Project List
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided a critical opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of infrastructure to our nation’s economic security and quality of life. A substantial investment in our long-neglected water resources infrastructure -- which provides an energy-efficient and environmentally sound mode of transportation, life-saving flood control, abundant water supplies, shore protection, water recreation, environmental restoration, and hydropower production -- would have been a step towards addressing this country’s growing infrastructure deficiencies, while at the same time creating a significant number of jobs to help jump-start the economy.
Tragically, that vital opportunity was squandered. After weeks of delay by the Office of Management and Budget, the long-awaited list was finally released today. OMB’s unwarranted holdup hijacked the $4.6 billion in funding dedicated to the Army Corps of Engineers, needlessly delaying the start of many critical projects and the creation of numerous jobs. NWC Chairman and President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, Gary P. LaGrange, noted “we are extremely disappointed that OMB disregarded the objectives of the Congress and the Administration to provide for an immediate investment in the infrastructure projects that are the backbone of our nation. We hope the release of this list will now allow much-needed projects to finally go forward, putting Americans back to work and providing the tangible and long-lasting benefits that investments in infrastructure offer.”
# # #
The National Waterways Conference, established in 1960, is the leading national organization to advocate for the enactment of common-sense water resource policies that maximize the economic and environmental value of our inland, coastal and Great Lakes waterways. Conference membership is comprised of the full spectrum of water resources stakeholders, including waterways shippers and carriers, industry and regional associations, port authorities, shipyards, dredging contractors, flood control associations, levee boards, engineering consultants, and state and local governments.
P&G Comments
On October 13, 2008, NWC will submit its Comments and letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expressing concerns with the USACE's proposal to revise the Principles governing water resource planning. Section 2031 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 directs the Secretary of the Army to revise the principles and guidelines used to formulate, evaluate, and implement water resources projects. The current proposal would revise the "Principles"; more detailed implementing guidance "Guidelines" would be provided in a later phase.
On June 5, 2008, NWC President Amy Larson submitted comments before a USACE panel conducting an implementation study for the Initiation of Revisions and Request for Suggested Changes to the Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources "P&Gs" See Comments