1. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW)

2. Why is the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) Important?
SAFETY NATIONAL SECURITY ECONOMY
The AIWW Serves
US Coast Guard
14 Military Bases
10 Ports
Barge traffic supporting intermodal transportation to deep draft ports
Military equipment and supply transportation barges and vessels
Commercial fishing vessels and charter fishing vessels
Cruise and tour boats
Recreational vessels
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessels
Department of Energy research vessels
US Army Corps of Engineers and industry dredging vessels

3. Waterway Facts & Stats
Federal law provides that the waterway be maintained at a minimum depth of 12 ft. for most of its length. This has been prevented by inadequate funding.
Shoaling is a problem along several sections of the waterway.
Commercial operators on the AIWW pay fuel taxes to the Inland Waterway Trust; none of these monies benefit the AIWW.
Products shipped include fuel oil, gasoline, asphalt, fertilizers, chemicals, wood chips, wood, limestone, sand, gravel, iron, steel, slag, lime, fabricated metal products, soybeans, vegetables, produce, electrical machinery.
US Army Corps of Engineers 2006 Waterborne Commerce Statistics
Norfolk VA to Key West FL
Tonnage 3,078,000
Ton Miles 213,815,000
Commercial Vessel Trips 49,362
There are 2.7 million registered boats in the region (NC, SC,GA,FL) – the second largest number in the country.
(Source 2005 NMMA boater registration study)
The federal government doesn’t consider recreational boating when determining the value of the AIWW.

4. Economic Benefits of Recreational Boating along the AIWW
Florida
$18 Billion total economic output
$6 Billion total personal wages
203,519 total job
$38.4 Billion total property values
If Maintenance Dredging Ceased, Returning Waterway to a 3 foot Controlling Depth
$8.8 billion in economic output (53% Decrease)
$3 billion in personal wages (52% Decrease)
696,040 jobs (52% Decrease)
$10.8 billion in property values (28% Decrease)
(Source: Studies conducted by the Florida Inland Navigation District and The Marine Industries Association of Florida)

5. 285 boating related businesses
South Carolina
285 boating related businesses
1658 persons employed in boating businesses
$304 million spent annually on craft-related products and services
$339 million spent on annual boating trips
(Source: NMMA 2008 Economic Study)
Georgia
$249 million in sales
2,216 jobs
$81 million in labor income
$135 million value added
(Source: NMMA Economic Study)
North Carolina
$257 million annually in sales
4,000 jobs
$124 million in wages
$35.6 million in federal taxes and fees
$21.4 million in states taxes and fees

6. National Security and Safety
The proper maintenance of the AIWW is vital to safety and national security.
Movement of jet fuel to Cherry Point.
Use of the AIWW at Camp Lejeune.
Coast Guard access to open ocean.
Safe inland passage for thousands of boats that transit the AIWW on an annual basis.

7. Environmental Benefits
More goods moved by water results in less congestion on the highways.
It is more cost effective to maintain one mile of waterway than it is to maintain one mile of interstate highway.

8. Mode Hydrocarbon Carbon Monoxide Nitrous Oxide
Tow Boat
.09
.20
.53
Train
.46
.64
1.83
Truck
.63
1.09
10.17
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Emissions Control Lab

9. State Funds Provided Annually Over the Past 5 Years

10. 2011 Proposed Funding Compared to 2010 Appropriated and Annual Need

11. What Can Be Done?
Advocate to Congress an increase in funding for AIWW maintenance.
Educate local and state governments about the AIWW and its future.
Suggest a waterfront tax to state governments. Example: Success of F.I.N.D. in Florida.