[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 465 Reported in House (RH)]

                                                 House Calendar No. 116
111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 465

                          [Report No. 111-285]

   Recognizing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association on the 
       occasion of its 10th anniversary, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 20, 2009

 Mr. Brown of South Carolina submitted the following resolution; which 
   was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

                            October 6, 2009

    Additional sponsors: Mr. Jones, Mr. Kingston, Mr. McIntyre, Ms. 
 Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Nye, Mr. Lincoln 
   Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Hastings of Florida, and Mr. Klein of 
                                Florida

                            October 6, 2009

 Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar, and ordered 
                             to be printed
    [Strike out the preamble and insert the part printed in italic]
[Strike out all after the resolving clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association on the 
       occasion of its 10th anniversary, and for other purposes.

<DELETED>Whereas the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), completed in 1940, 
        runs along the southeast coast of the United States from Norfolk, 
        Virginia, to Miami, Florida, and measures 1088 miles long;
Whereas the AIWW was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937 to provide 
        a safe inside navigation channel for commercial shipping, support for 
        and encouragement of interstate commerce, and safe harbor and protection 
        for shipping from inclement weather and wartime enemy attack;
Whereas although authorized to a depth of 12 feet mean low water, the AIWW has 
        not been maintained in a satisfactory manner and has controlling depths 
        as shallow as 4 feet in some locations;
Whereas the lack of regular, adequate maintenance of the AIWW has created 
        serious navigation hazards for commercial and recreational users;
Whereas if maintained at the authorized depth, the AIWW could serve as a safe, 
        fuel efficient, and economical alternative to congested highways and 
        rail lines for some cargo;
Whereas the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association was organized in 1999 to 
        address the navigation challenges of the AIWW and to encourage the 
        continuation and further development of waterborne commerce and 
        recreation on the AIWW of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
        Georgia, and Florida;
Whereas since its founding, the Association has been a persistent and outspoken 
        advocate for regular dredging and adequate maintenance to promote safe, 
        cost effective navigation;
Whereas the Association has voiced the interests of commercial and recreational 
        users of the AIWW, earning the title of ``Voice of the Waterway'';
Whereas the Association promotes the AIWW as a vital marine highway along the 
        Atlantic coast, providing safe navigation for commercial and 
        recreational vessels;
Whereas the Association has been a consistent force for protecting the integrity 
        of the AIWW and securing its reputation as an important economic engine 
        for the Nation and the region; and
Whereas the Association has had many achievements over 10 years, including 
        successfully advocating for--

</DELETED>    (1) additional funds to be added annually to Federal and 
State budgets for waterway maintenance;

</DELETED>    (2) economic studies to be conducted to show the economic 
importance of the waterway;

</DELETED>    (3) the funding of a regional Dredged Material Management 
Plan for the waterway;

</DELETED>    (4) the States to become more involved in waterway 
maintenance; and

</DELETED>    (5) coordinating the many interested parties to work together 
for the waterway: Now, therefore, be it

</DELETED>Whereas the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) was authorized by 
        the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937 to provide a safe inside navigation 
        channel for commercial shipping, support for and encouragement of 
        interstate commerce, and safe harbor and protection for shipping from 
        inclement weather and wartime enemy attack;
Whereas the AIWW, completed in 1940, runs along the southeast coast of the 
        United States from Norfolk, Virginia, to Key West, Florida, and measures 
        1,088 miles long;
Whereas segments of the intracoastal waterway on the Atlantic Coast received 
        their initial congressional authorization through Rivers and Harbors 
        Acts beginning in 1880;
Whereas the AIWW is a vital transportation system providing safe, reliable, and 
        efficient navigation for commercial, recreational, and military vessels;
Whereas the Corps of Engineers is currently engaged in flood control, hydropower 
        production, environmental restoration, maintenance dredging, lock 
        maintenance, recreation, and navigation projects along the AIWW;
Whereas, according to the Corps of Engineers, in 2007 the AIWW supported the 
        transportation of 2,543,000 tons of freight traffic, including 
        commodities such as wheat, corn, soybeans, electrical machinery, iron, 
        coal, gasoline, fabricated metal products, and electrical machinery;
Whereas, according to the Corps of Engineers, in 2007 the AIWW supported a total 
        of 34,184 trips made by recreational, commercial, and military vessels;
Whereas the AIWW is an integral transportation network supporting the Armed 
        Forces through the shipment of military equipment, fuel, and generators 
        between Norfolk, Virginia, and Kings Bay, Georgia;
Whereas the Dismal Swamp Canal, on the AIWW, is the oldest operating artificial 
        waterway in the United States and has been placed on the National 
        Register of Historical Places, was registered as an engineering landmark 
        in 1988, and was included in the National Park Service's Underground 
        Railroad Network to Freedom Program in 2004;
Whereas the AIWW has enhanced the lives of the residents of Virginia, North 
        Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, as well as the greater 
        southeastern United States, for more than 6 decades;
Whereas the wildlife, flora, and fauna along the AIWW provide ample recreational 
        opportunities for birdwatchers, photographers, and boaters;
Whereas the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association was organized in 1999 to 
        address the navigation challenges of the AIWW and to encourage the 
        continuation and further development of waterborne commerce and 
        recreation on the AIWW;
Whereas the Association has voiced the interests of commercial and recreational 
        users of the AIWW, earning the title of ``Voice of the Waterway'';
Whereas the Association has been an advocate for maintenance of the AIWW to 
        promote safe, cost-effective navigation; and
Whereas the Association promotes the AIWW as a vital marine highway along the 
        Atlantic coast, providing safe navigation for commercial and 
        recreational vessels: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  <DELETED>That the House of Representatives--
        <DELETED>    (1) recognizes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
        Association on the occasion of its 10th anniversary;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) commends the many achievements of the Atlantic 
        Intracoastal Waterway Association; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) encourages the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
        Association to continue its tradition of excellence in service 
        to Waterway users.</DELETED>
    That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of the Atlantic Intracoastal 
        Waterway to recreational, commercial, and military vessels and 
        to the history and quality of life of the citizens of the 
        United States; and
            (2) acknowledges the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
        Association on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
                                                 House Calendar No. 116

111th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                              H. RES. 465

                          [Report No. 111-285]

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

   Recognizing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association on the 
       occasion of its 10th anniversary, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            October 6, 2009

 Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar, and ordered 
                             to be printed