Fourth “R”: Support Higher Funding Levels for River Infrastructure
Where We Stand
  • 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)

Other Background Materials: TTI Transportation Modal Comparison Study; Navigation Coalition Letter; Senators Urge NESP letter; NGFA FY 2017 funding letter and more…

Issue News
Corps budget allocates $76.5 million this year for building new Chickamauga Lock Jun 13, 2018 - Chattanooga Times/Free Press Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said today. "More U.S. senators ask to increase funding for the Army Corps of Engineers than any other part of the budget.