James H. I. Weakley James H. I. Weakley President, Lake Carriers' Association Vice President, Great Lakes Maritime Task Force Member, Restore America’s Maritime Promise H.R. 104: “Realizing America’s Maritime Promise Act” Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment July 8, 2011  Rayburn – Room 2167

H.R. 104 Restores Trust  Harbor Maintenance Act: –Requires Administration to propose HMTF expenditures based on HMTF revenue –Modeled on AIR - 21 –Should not “score” –Should not violate budget rules –Should increase ACOE’s “top line” –Insulated from inflation –Increases HMTF spending – less than 3% of Energy & Water Appropriations

1 Vessel 47 Barges 700 Railroad Cars 2, Ton Trucks LAND-BASED MODES OF TRANSPORTATION DON'T STACK UP TO SHIPS !

HP Per Ton HP Per Ton Vessel 1 Railroad Cars Trucks

VESSEL HP/TON EQUIVALENT VESSEL HP/TON EQUIVALENT The engine of a lawnmower could move a truck.

Tons Per Inch Immersion

1 INCH’S IMPACT The 55 U.S.-Flag Lake Carriers’ enrolled vessels leave behind a combined 8,000 tons of cargo per trip for each inch of lost depth: 8000 Tons is enough… Iron Oreto produce steel for 6,000 Automobiles Coalto provide 3 Hours of Electricity for Detroit Area Limestoneto build24 Homes Each1,000 foot-long vessel leaves 400,000 tons per year on the dock for each inch of lost depth. Our national economy cannot afford the inefficiency?

THIS MAP IS A SAMPLING. VIRTUALLY EVERY LAKES PORT NEEDS SIGNIFICANT DREDGING. Lost Inches, Lost Efficiencies INADEQUATE DREDGING SYSTEM-WIDE

10 Groundings in Navigation Channel

HMTF Expenditures and Balance FY 1992 – FY 2010 (millions $) TRUST GAP

H.R. 104 Restores Trust  Harbor Maintenance Act: –Requires Administration to propose HMTF expenditures based on HMTF revenue –Modeled on AIR - 21 –Should not “score” –Should not violate budget rules –Should increase ACOE’s “top line” –Insulated from inflation –Increases HMTF spending – less than 3% of Energy & Water Appropriations