U.S. Chamber Statement on the Water Resources Development Act of 2010

Investment in Waterways and Ports Needed for Export & Job Growth

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce Director of Transportation Infrastructure Janet Kavinoky today issued the following statement on H.R. 5892, the “Water Resources Development Act of 2010 (WRDA),” which was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson yesterday and is being marked up in the full committee this afternoon:

“The Chamber applauds Chairman Oberstar and Chairwoman Johnson for their commitment to moving a WRDA bill forward. The case for investment in navigation priorities is clear: America’s marine transportation system is an engine for economic growth and job creation. Reliable, cost-effective transportation services on the nation’s waterways and ports is critical to achieving the goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015.

“The system must be ready to meet future demand for safe, reliable, and efficient domestic and international freight movement. This legislation takes a step toward these aims by requiring that revenues into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund be fully utilized for their intended purpose – maintenance of harbors and channels.

“In addition, infrastructure investment is a proven strategy for job creation: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that every $1 billion in federal investment in water resources projects supports approximately 26,000 jobs.

“The Chamber looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that this legislation includes robust investment in the Army Corps’ navigation mission. We encourage Congress to incorporate the Inland Marine Transportation Systems Capital Project Business Model, developed jointly by the Inland Waterway Users Board and the Army Corps of Engineers, into final legislation. The Model includes practical, long-term solutions for addressing the needs of the inland waterways system by prioritizing projects and outlining a potential funding solution.”

“Final legislation should address the lack of a coordinated federal investment and management strategy; establish priorities for addressing the backlog of needs; increase and stabilize investment levels; and create the conditions for successful project delivery.”

The Chamber offered specific recommendations to Congress related to WRDA reauthorization in its Marine Transportation Policy Statement.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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