About Us | Resolutions: 2007-2008

The resolutions below represent statements of position on priority items for the GICA, and commend the efforts of individuals who have contributed by extraordinary measure to the organization. They are updated each year, and approved by membership at the annual convention. This set of resolutions was adopted August 24, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Resolution I

The Association notes with great concern the opinion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with respect to the award of punitive damages in the case of the grounding of the EXXON VALDEZ and the potentially devastating liabilities that could face vessel operators should this ruling stand.  The Association authorizes its President and Executive Director to join with other inland waterways organizations in submitting an appropriate amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Association to the Supreme Court pointing out the potential harm to the inland waterways industry should this ruling be upheld.

Resolution II

The Association applauds the continuing efforts of the Corps of Engineers in joining with Industry to catalog and prioritize Operations and Maintenance projects on the entire Inland Waterway system, and encourages the Corps to continue to refine and expand this process to better allocate available funds to those projects that return the greatest value to the nation and increase knowledge of the soundness of Civil Works planning and execution processes.

Resolution III

The Association gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the Texas Department of Transportation in continuing to maintain a system of interim fenderworks at the Galveston Railroad Bridge after completion of the navigation span portion of their new vehicular causeway. TxDOT has also committed to construct a more substantial interim fender system at this site intended to serve the barge industry until completion of the railroad bridge widening project. Their proactive efforts to support the uninterrupted flow of barge commerce at this critical structure have kept barge traffic moving safely during an uncertain time.

Resolution IV

The Association supports a full engineering evaluation of the use of the Tule Lake Lift Bridge, now in service in Corpus Christi, and soon to be retired, as a possible candidate for use in the widening of the Galveston Railroad Bridge.

Resolution V

The Association strongly encourages Congress to expedite funding the replacement of the Galveston Railroad Bridge, a candidate for Truman Hobbs Funding, so that it may be completed soon after the forecast 2007 completion of the Galveston Causeway Project.  The efforts of Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, along with Representatives Edwards, Paul, Poe, DeLay, and Culberson in securing  additional  funding for FY 2008 are sincerely appreciated by the Association.  The association also acknowledges with appreciation, the support of Galveston County Judge Yarbrough in moving this project forward.

Resolution VI

The Association commends the Port of New Orleans, Waterways Council, and the Louisiana congressional delegation for their support in the continuing effort to secure full funding for the Industrial Lock.  The Association further urges Congress to ensure funds are appropriated to make the necessary repairs requested for FY 2008 to insure reliable operation of the lock until its replacement is complete.  

Resolution VII

The Association notes with increasing concern the level of development along many reaches of the canal, especially facilities that put members of the general public in close proximity to the waterway with little or no protection in the event of an accident.  The association recognizes the need for economic development and that many areas in proximity to the canal are desirable from the perspective of residential and recreational development and is not opposed to such development.  However, the association calls on the Corps of Engineers, state and local agencies and land use planners to establish and enforce comprehensive plans and regulations to ensure that development in proximity with the canal is planned in such a manner as to safely co-exist with the commercial navigational purpose of the canal and to prohibit construction and other activities on the canal or its shorelines that will impair the use of the canal for commercial navigation, limit its capacity to move commerce or decrease the safety of the general public or commercial navigation.

Resolution VIII

The Association expresses its support for abandonment of the existing project channel of the Intracoastal Waterway across Matagorda Bay by the Corps of Engineers, and supports the designation of the North or Alternate route as the main project channel.  This will result in a more reliable and safe route as well as an approximate 50% reduction in Operations and Maintenance expenditures for the Corps of Engineers.  It will also permit the US Coast Guard to more adequately mark this route for mariners.

Resolution IX

The Association supports expediting a solution to the extreme current flows at Brazos Floodgates, near Freeport, Texas.  This problem continues to worsen and is presenting severe safety and economic concerns for the barge industry.

Resolution X

The Association affirms its support for the partnership that GICA continues to foster relative to Intracoastal Waterway Management Issues, including its lead role in partnering with the US Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers with regard to hurricane response on the Gulf Coast.

Resolution XI

Resolution XII

The Association strongly supports the complete evaluation of effects of a prolonged outage at the IHNC Lock, as part of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Closure LEIS being prepared by the Corps of Engineers.   The association believes that it is essential that the Corps of Engineers maintain a reasonable alternative to the IHNC Lock for ready movement of East West traffic during those times the IHNC lock is unavailable for use.

Resolution XIII

The Association expresses its sincere appreciation to the following convention sponsors:

PLATINUM

• Canal Barge Company, Inc.
• Cenac Towing Company, Inc.
• Houston Pilots Association
• Kirby Corporation
• MEMCO Barge Line, Inc.
• Michael Blaser Studio
• Port of New Orleans
• RLB Contracting, Inc.
• RiverBarge Excursion Lines
• Trinity Marine Products, Inc.

GOLD

• American Commercial Lines LLC
• CITGO Petroleum Corporation
• Calhoun Port Authority
• Coastal Resort Properties, LP
• Deloach Marine Services, LLC
• Devall Towing & Boat Services, Inc.
• Echo Marine, LTD
• Florida Marine Transporters, Inc.
• Higman Marine Services, Inc.
• MnI Diesel Inc.
• Midstream Fuel Service, Inc.
• NOAA/NOS
• Orion Marine Group/King Fisher Marine
• Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co.
• Port of Bay City Authority
• Port of Corpus Christi
• Shell USA
• Southern Company
• Southern Towing Company

SILVER

• Blessey Marine Services, Inc.
• Carter Chambers, Filtration Group
• Custom Fuel Services/Ingram Marine Group Company
• Dale’s Welding and Fabricators, LL
• HDR-Shiner Moseley and Associates, Inc.
• Liskow & Lewis
• LNV Engineering
• Sabine Pilots Association

BRONZE

• AccuTrans Marine Management Services
• W/S Calhoun County Navigation – Port of West Calhoun
• Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place