Lock and Dam Funding Plan Is on Its Way to Congress - Prairie Farmer

Industry consensus supports a fuel tax increase, instead of a lockage fee.
Published: Apr 27, 2010

The Inland Waterways Users Board unanimously adopted the final report that accompanies a new comprehensive, consensus-based package of recommendations formulated by an industry and Corps of Engineers working group to improve the continued vitality of the U.S. inland navigation system over the next 20 years.

The report and recommendations are being sent to Congress and the Obama Administration and if adopted, will better address the needs of the entire inland waterways navigation system and provide more dollars for greatly needed infrastructure improvements.

This proposal is supported by 150 industry stakeholders, including NCGA, as a way to fund the navigation system and would be in lieu of the imposition of a lockage fee that has been unsuccessfully offered in the last two fiscal year budgets and is strongly opposed by Waterways Council. Instead of a lockage fee, the proposal will increase the fuel tax on barge operators to fund lock and dam construction.

These recommendations were developed over a year-long period by the Inland Marine Transportation System Investment Strategy Team, composed of key Corps of Engineers personnel and members of the Users Board. Many in Congress have been very supportive of the process to create this set of recommendations.

The proposed recommendations and report prioritize navigation projects across the entire system, improve the Corps of Engineers' project management and processes to deliver projects on time and on budget, and recommend a funding mechanism that is affordable and meets the system's needs.

For in-depth coverage of the proposal, check out the May issue of Prairie Farmer.