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Resolutions:
2011-2012
The resolutions below represent statements of position on priority items for the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association 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. Resolution I The Association commends the outstanding efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard and its own industry members who worked tirelessly during this spring¡¦s flood event to protect life and property while ensuring waterways remained open. Decision makers at several levels in these Federal agencies carefully considered our professional mariners¡¦ inputs as they crafted safety requirements and directed barge traffic safely through treacherous flood waters. This close cooperation resulted in safe operations and maximized critical commerce flows. Resolution II The Association acknowledges and commends the significant progress the Federal and state governments have made toward completion of important navigation projects on the GIWW. Specifically, the Galveston Causeway Railroad Bridge Replacement Project is well on its way to remedying a truly hazardous condition. In Louisiana, the Corps has completed key navigational features of the West Closure Complex and the IHNC Lake Borgne Surge Barrier. All of three of these projects were cooperatively developed with the inland barge industry¡¦s inputs and suggestions. This cooperation resulted in minimal disruption of navigation during construction. Resolution III The Association continues to endorse the Inland Marine Transportation System Capital Investment Strategy as adopted by the Inland Waterways Users Board upon the recommendation of a joint Army Corps of Engineers ¡V Industry working group. Although action on this recommended strategy has appeared to have stalled in the current Administration, the Strategy - or a similar approach - remains critical to safe inland waterways operations and work must continue to develop and implement a plan for recapitalizing aged infrastructure. The Association urges the appropriate agencies and Congress to remain focused on this serious issue. The nation needs a long term capital investment strategy to ensure the long term reliability and efficiency of our waterways. Resolution IV The Association urges Congress, the Administration and the Corps of Engineers to adequately fund Operations and Maintenance of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and its connecting waters to ensure the continued reliability and efficiency of the waterway so that it can continue to serve the needs of industry along the coast, provide jobs, reduce congestion and emissions, and provide other benefits to the nation. Resolution V Closely related to Resolution IV, the Association joins many other waterways organizations, and local governmental entities in urging Congress, the Administration and the Corps of Engineers to quickly resolve the issue of Operations and Maintenance responsibility for newly constructed navigation features on the GIWW in Louisiana. The West Closure Complex and the IHNC Lake Borgne Surge Barrier navigation features should be operated and maintained by the Corps of Engineers because of their crucial impacts on the Federal waterway and the strategic importance of the flow of commerce through those areas. Resolution VI The Association welcomes RADM Roy Nash, as Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District and new Coast Guard Sector Commanders whose areas of responsibility include segments of the GIWW and looks forward to working with them to advance our mutual goals. Resolution VII The Association restates its concern with 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 efficiently move commerce or decrease the safety of the general public or commercial navigation. The Association commends the Texas Department of Transportation for commissioning a study to look further into this problem and recommend potential solutions. Resolution VIII The Association recognizes the critical linkage between shallow and deep water maritime industries. The operation and maintenance of both inland channels and ports and harbors are vitally important to ensuring the United States remains a strong trading nation. The Association thus reaffirms its support of the ¡§Realizing America¡¦s Maritime Promise¡¨ (RAMP) coalition, and others who seek to apply Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund collections toward the dredging of our ports and harbors as originally intended. Resolution IX The Association affirms its support for Gulf states¡¦ efforts and plans to restore and protect the coast. Not only is a resilient coastline vital for the safety and health of coastal communities, but the very existence of the GIWW is reliant on the protection that the coast affords. The value of our waterway cannot be overstated and its protection should be a shared goal of states working to restore and protect our coastline from further erosion and damage. The Association will continue to liaise, provide industry inputs and work with states as they develop plans to protect our valuable coastal resources. Resolution X The Association affirms its responsibility to its members to return a significant service and value for the membership dues and support that members provide. The Association will undertake a comprehensive effort to identify areas where members expect, or desire, improved value for their membership. This year¡¦s effort to improve visibility of GIWW issues through a web based geographical display is a start. The Association and a newly commissioned Membership Committee will poll the membership and develop a plan for assuring members¡¦ receive an appropriate return on their investment in the Association. Resolution XI 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 and other emergency response needs of shallow draft navigation interests on the Gulf Coast. Resolution XII The Association affirms its support for the cooperative effort to establish remote current meters at critical junctions of the GIWW. Specifically, the efforts of the Coast Guard, NOAA and Texas DOT are recognized as they press forward to provide current meters and electronic reporting mechanisms in Matagorda Bay, TX. Resolution XIII The Association expresses its sincere appreciation to the following convention sponsors: PLATINUM AEP River Operations Canal Barge Company, Inc. Ingram Barge Company Kirby Corporation Southern Towing Company Trinity Marine Products, Inc. GOLD American Commercial Lines Buffalo Marine Service, Inc. CITGO Petroleum Corporation Consolidated Tank Barge Services-CTBS (CGB) Devall Towing & Boat Service, LLC Echo Marine, LTD Enterprise Marine Service, Inc. Golding Barge Line Gulf South Marine Transportation, Inc. Marquette Transportation Company Gulf-Inland Orion Marine Group / King Fisher Marine Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Company Port of Bay City Port of Corpus Christi Port of New Orleans Port of Port Lavaca - Point Comfort Port of Victoria Port Vision T&T Marine Salvage, Inc. Turn Services, LLC SILVER Blessey Marine Services, Inc. Dale¡¦s Welding and Fabricators BRONZE AccuTrans, Inc. Simplex Americas, LLC Westside Calhoun County Navigation District |
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