AAPA frustrated by funding level for dredging

AAPA frustrated by funding level for dredging The American Association of Port Authorities criticized the Bush administration's budget for underfunding dredging and other improvements for the nation's waterways and ports.
   The trade group said that $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion is needed to maintain federal navigation channels, but the budget only calls for $735 million from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
   Overall funding for the Army Corps of Engineers would increase to $4.87 billion.
   'We're pleased the president's budget request for the Corps' overall Civil Works program appropriation is about $141 million more than last year's request. If accepted, that would translate to $28 million more coming out of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to pay for navigation channel maintenance,' said AAPA President Kurt Nagle in a statement.
   'While we applaud any incremental increase in funding for this program, the president's proposed budget still falls far short of the more than $1 billion that is needed annually to maintain the nation's navigation channels at their required depths and widths. Proper funding would help reduce shipping costs for America's businesses, making the products we buy and sell less expensive.'
   The AAPA said that the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund has sufficient money from user fees to pay for needed dredging of shipping lanes.