Inland waterways proponents already see Corps slowdown

Inland waterways proponents already see Corps slowdown    The Bush administration’s proposed cuts for inland waterways maintenance for fiscal year 2005 is already being felt by the industry through recently sent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers termination letters for certain on-going projects.
   Beach nourishment projects appear to be the first to go. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has named 41 projects for termination, which includes both flood control and water supply projects.
   “OMB seems to feel that the best way to get rid of the construction and operations and maintenance backlog is to cut the program and put people out of work,” said Robert W. Portiss, port director at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa and chairman of the Washington-based National Waterways Conference. “But we will only get rid of the construction and operation and maintenance backlog if the program is funded at an adequate level.”
   In fiscal year 2003, the Corps spent $4.9 billion. “OMB’s budget request of $4.215 billion will not only delay or terminate projects, it will cost U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars in benefits-forgone and higher transportation bills,” said Worth Hager, president of the National Waterways Conference. “In 1986, in constant dollars, the Corps program was at a $6.6 billion level, and the Corps mission has since expanded. We’re not moving ahead, we’re falling behind.”
   According to the conference’s review of OMB documents, each dollar spent on navigation, operation and maintenance returns about $14.10 in transportation savings. Every dollar spent on flood control saves America $6 in future flood damages.
   “OMB should wake up to the fact that countries in the European Union, South America and Asia are investing in their waterways because they are economical and environmentally friendly — they certainly understand that a solid waterways infrastructure can contribute to a nation’s well being,” Hager said.
   The National Waterways Conference supports a civil works budget of at least $5.5 billion in fiscal year 2005 and $6.6 billion in fiscal year 2006. The conference estimates that fully funding the Corps’ civil works program at capability levels would require the Congress to provide $8 billion in funds a year.