- George Washington, returning in the fall of 1783 from a tour of the Mohawk Valley, wrote to a friend concerning the Nation's natural waterways: "Prompted by these actual observations, I could not help taking a more extensive view of the vast inland navigation of these United States and importance of it, and with the goodness of that Providence, which has dealt is favors to us with so profuse a hand. Would to God we had the wisdom enough to improve them."
- Our nation enjoys a vast inland waterways system, a combination of rivers and canals, locks and dams, that provides America with safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation for the building blocks of our economy.
- While they are often out of sight,out of mind, waterways are critical to keeping our domestic supply chain competitive. There is a $20.37-per-ton cost savings for shipping on the inland waterways; this translates to farmer, shipper, and consumer cost savings.
- Without waterborne cargo, our domestic products would congest the Nation's truck and rail lines, dramatically increasing costs for those within our borders.
The fourth “R” for rivers and its aging infrastructure – can’t be forgotten among Roads, Railways and Runways. Our waterways allow the nation’s critical commodities – grain, coal, agricultural inputs, steel, petroleum products, chemicals, and aggregate materials – to be used domestically and to reach export markets in the most cost-competitive way.
Annual appropriations for waterways infrastructure must remain strong and efficient for the exports that are expected to increase, and to alleviate congestion on roads and rail that are at capacity. Support the highest funding levels for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works mission to modernize our waterways system that benefits the nation.
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Report/Draft SEIS
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Report/Draft SEIS Comment Letters (WCI/GICA)
WCI Comment Letter, February 9, 2017
Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association Comment Letter, February 8, 2017
Other Background Materials: TTI Transportation Modal Comparison Study; Navigation Coalition Letter; Senators Urge NESP letter; NGFA FY 2017 funding letter and more…
Navigation Coalition Letter to House Appropriators urging efficient FY ’17 funding, February 7, 2017
Letter from key Senators urging funding for NESP in FY ’17, March 11, 2016
Priority Projects and Current Completion Dates
Inland Waterways Trust Fund Year-End Balances 1992-2015
Inland Waterways Users Board 28th Annual Report 2015
 Waterways: Working for America (Highlights of “A Modal Comparison of Domestic Freight Transportation Effects on the General Public: 2001-2009″ (February 2012) |
 Waterways: Vital to the Nation (Highlights of “Toward a Full Accounting of the Beneficiaries of Navigable Waterways” (January 2011) |
- Critical maintenance backlog on navigation channel continues to mountAug 6, 2017 - Muskogee Phoenix
- Senate spending bill boosts Chickamauga Lock spending to $78 millionJul 19, 2017 - Chattanooga Times/Free Press
- Guest EDITORIAL: Rebuilding infrastructure takes funding, Mr. PresidentJul 4, 2017 - The Tribune-Democrat
- Noise, more electric barriers proposed to stop Asian carp in Great Lakes region Aug 5, 2017 - Detroit Free Press
- BRIEF: River warning buoys moved by high water, Army Corps says Aug 2, 2017 - The Valley News-Dispatch
- Nickajack, Chickamauga dams opening for public tours for first time since 9/11 Jul 5, 2017 - Chattanooga Times/Free Press
