USA: Ojard Testifies on Water Resources Development Act

Testifying today for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee in a hearing titled “Foundations for a New Water Resources Development Act,” Duluth Seaway Port Authority Executive Director and AAPA U.S. Delegation Chairman Adolph Ojard laid out three key areas that AAPA believes should be addressed in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation currently being considered by Congress that would result in real benefits to the nation.

First is bill language that would ensure federal Harbor Maintenance Tax revenues are fully used each year. Second is to make the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ study and construction processes more efficient for future channel modernization projects. Third is to get channel modernization projects authorized and constructed to maintain America’s competitive advantage in transportation cost savings that results in domestic job creation and national economic vitality.

Mr. Ojard also highlighted a series of six “guiding principles” that AAPA believes should be considered in addressing the Harbor Maintenance Tax and waterside port modernization issues.

For a copy of Mr. Ojard’s testimony, please click here.

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Press Release, April 16, 2013