Editorial: MarAd Should Reverse Marine Highway Action

The U.S. Maritime Administration, or the parent government body that spiked the Marine Highway idea, should again reverse itself and continue its invitation to water transporters and public entities to propose sites for new marine corridors. MarAd recently announced the invitation, but just as suddenly withdrew it, due (we think) to influence of its naysaying overseers. The marine highway idea is a good one. To delay it further is folly.

We know that President Bush and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are against it. Their shortsightedness related to the marine transportation industry is par for the course. Other critics said the corridors would do nothing to solve the present economic problems and, of course, there is the money shortage. That is hogwash, and they know it. No one has suggested marine highways as a solution to the present economic fiasco. Further, to accept proposals would cost relatively little. The financial burden would fall on the marine entities that think the idea has merit. These plans would probably not see daylight until after the present economic crisis has been solved anyway. But it would be a sign of moving forward.

If the government is looking for a sure way to boost the economy and spread the goodies in a sensible way, it could move ahead on the improvements to the Upper Mississippi/Illinois rivers, for which planning already has been completed. This would put people to work immediately and would, at the same time, be modernizing and restoring major waterways whose health has been allowed to suffer far too long.

There are numerous reasons why the marine highway program should be enacted, none of them having to do with the present economic doldrums. As MarAd, a longtime supporter of water transportation, explained in its recent announcement, the establishment of waterway corridors would do much to improve the environment, reduce the number of big rigs using the highways in those overtaxed transportation corridors, save natural resources, and improve highway safety. All of these are worthy goals and should be pursued without delay on a regular basis.

We can always find a current problem (or conjure up one) to use as an excuse for not spending money on waterways. The president and OMB are pursuing the same archaic approach they have always used when it comes to dealing with proposed improvements to the water transport infrastructure. We need a farsighted approach that will assure steady progress toward where our nation should be, both in dealing with environmental problems and the projected increase in transportation demand.

As we said, industry would assume the first financial burden of preparing marine highway proposals. This could take anywhere from one to three years. Historically, it takes time for water projects to develop and for potential customers to decide to take advantage of the opportunities before them. The container–on–barge movement is a perfect example of that. The greatest potential still lies ahead. Still, some areas have seen substantial progress, while others are still kicking the idea around.

The challenge to improve environmental conditions and meet growing transportation demands is not going away. Hopefully, from what we gather from President–elect Obama’s campaign announcements, he is sympathetic to ideas to improve the nation’s infrastructure. We hope that is not merely campaign rhetoric.

We believe Congress is still in the mood to support water projects and bring life again to the water resource development legislation. Presently that august body is struggling with ideas to revive the economy as well. The solutions seem not to be clear. But there is nothing confusing or risky about investing in water resource projects. The amount of money it would take to get the show on the road is miniscule compared with the astronomical numbers they are casting about to save the auto industry, bail out banks, revive home ownership, etc. A few billion dollars directed to waterways right now would do wonders for everyone and pay great dividends later on.

In case no one is looking, the boat–building business along the Gulf is running at a fever pitch. The inland barge and towing industry is more than ready to move into a role of moving more cargo along marine highways.

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