View non-flash version
March, 2005 • MarineNews 13 Inland Insights Released on February 7, President Bush's FY 2006 proposed budget requests the highest funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program in many years. It demonstrates the Bush Administra- tion's increasing understanding of the myriad benefits of the nation's inland waterways system and the need to nurture, not neglect, this critically important trans- portation system. The budget request underscores the President's goal to keep the Nation economically strong and com- petitive. This budget request of $4.513 billion proposes FY '06 spending of $184 million from the dedicated Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) for the modernization of priority, Congressionally-approved locks and dams on the inland system. This allocation meets Waterways Council, Inc.'s recommendation to spend at least $150 million per year over the next seven to eight years from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. During the 1990s the Trust Fund surplus grew to about $400 million. Annual revenues from taxes on towboats operating on America's inland navigation system are about $100 million annually. The President's budget request is the high- est funding recommendation for IWTF funded projects since cost-sharing legisla- tion was enacted into law in 1986. As required under current law, these Trust Fund expenditures will be matched by general revenue treasury funds. Waterways carriers, shippers, port authorities and companies which use the nation's waterways to transport essential bulk commodities such as coal, grain, petroleum and chemicals valued at more than $31 billion annually rely upon a well-maintained and modern national sys- tem of ports and waterways. "We are very pleased with the Presi- dent's increasing recognition of the impor- tance of the inland and coastal waterways and ports as a national transportation and economic engine," said R. Barry Palmer, President & CEO of Waterways Council, Inc. "We are in the early stages of evalu- ating budget request for the planning, con- struction, and operation and maintenance of inland navigation system's needs, but we are very encouraged by the recogni- tion of the Administration's continuing understanding of the critical value of this transportation system while reflecting the priorities of a Nation at war," he contin- ued. Upon release of the budget, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works John Paul Woodley, Jr. said, "This is very much a performance Ultrasonic Thickness Gage... Ultrasonic Thickness Gage PosiTector ® UTG WALL THICKNESS & CORROSION GAGE MADE IN USA Ideal for measuring wall thickness and the effects of corrosion or erosion on tanks, pipes or any structure where access is limited to one side. ¦ Scan mode ¦ Alarm mode ¦ Internal data logger ¦ Sturdy/compact design ¦ Certificate of Calibration 1-800-448-3835 www.defelsko.com 802 Proctor Ave., P.O. Box 676 • Ogdensburg, New York 13669 315-393-4450 • FAX: 315-393-8471 • E-mail: techsale@defelsko.com Circle 261 on Reader Service Card Circle 215 on Reader Service Card It’s not a product. Experience the Comfort of WESMAR Stabilizers. Call today. It’s a miracle. Western Marine Electronics 14120 NE 200th Street Box 7201 Woodinville WA 98072-4001 Tel: (425) 481-2296 Fax: 425-486-0909 Email: cjones@wesmar.com Web: www.wesmar.com 5-350 HP ThrustersCentral Hydraulics Bush Budget Highlights Marine Transport R. Barry PalmerGeorge W. Bush MN MARCH05 2(9-16).qxd 3/4/2005 12:10 PM Page 13
