U.S. Chamber Calls on Congress to Pass Water Resources Development Act in 2010

'America's Marine Transportation System is an Engine for Economic Growth and Job Creation,' Said Kavinoky

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In testimony before Congress today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlighted the economic importance of the nation's marine transportation system and made the case for improving investments in the system through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

"America's marine transportation system is an engine for economic growth and job creation," said Janet Kavinoky, the Chamber's director of Transportation Infrastructure, in testimony before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. "It enables the business community to transport goods in a cost-effective, energy-efficient manner to domestic and international markets.

Kavinoky pointed out that the movement of waterborne cargo and related economic activity contribute more than $742 billion dollars annually to the nation's GDP, sustaining more than 13 million jobs.

"Investing in the Army Corps of Engineers' navigation mission through WRDA is necessary to ready the marine transportation system to meet future demand for safe, reliable, and efficient domestic and international freight movement," Kavinoky stated. "Without Congressional action, the ability of the system to support domestic economic development is compromised."

The Chamber offered specific legislative recommendations to the committee in a "Marine Transportation Policy Statement," which recommends actions in four general areas: improving federal coordination; establishing priorities to maintain, modernize, and expand the system; increasing investment; and creating conditions for successful project delivery.

In her testimony, Kavinoky also endorsed the recently-released Inland Marine Transportation Systems Capital Projects Business Model, developed jointly by the Inland Waterway Users Board and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Chamber believes the Business Model contains practical, long-term solutions for addressing the needs of the inland waterways system by prioritizing projects and outlining a potential funding solution.

Kavinoky's complete testimony is available at: /issues/testimony/2010/100506water

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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