The American Waterways Operators - Annual Reports 2016 | Page 13

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WATERWAYS RELIABILITY AND
INVASIVE SPECIES FEDERAL AUTHORITY OVER
VESSEL OPERATIONS
AWO works with a diverse array of coalition
partners to ensure the continuity and reliability of
commercial navigation in the face of infrastructure
and invasive species challenges. In 2016, Congress
passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for
the Nation Act, marking a much-needed return to
biennial Congressional reauthorization of water
resources programs. AWO and Waterways Council,
Inc. worked closely with lawmakers to ensure that the
legislation advanced the modernization of the inland
waterways infrastructure while avoiding lockage
fees or tolls that would destroy the competitiveness
of barge transportation. AWO also led the UnLock
Our Jobs coalition to inform federal, state and local
policymakers of the damaging consequences that
physical separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi
River would have on maritime commerce and
the U.S. economy. In 2016, AWO continued its work with coalition
partners at the national and regional levels to
ensure that the U.S. Coast Guard remains the
principal regulator of vessel operations and
oppose unconstitutional state efforts to usurp
federal authority over the operation of vessels in
interstate commerce. In Washington State, AWO
and its partners defeated proposed legislation that
would establish problematic tug escort and pilotage
requirements for tank barges. AWO is also engaged
in litigation to overturn a South Portland, Maine city
ordinance that prohibits the bulk loading of crude
oil onto tank vessels in Portland Harbor, and two
Massachusetts statutes that impose unconstitutional
regulations on vessels transiting Buzzards Bay.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT CHARTING THE FUTURE