Weekly News Summary For March 17-23, 2008:
Barge operators on the Illinois Waterway continue to raise concerns about the invasive-species barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
The barrier, which is designed to put an electrical charge in the water to deter species from passing between the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, has been in place since April 2002 in various forms. The temporary barrier that is in use now will be replaced later this year by a new two-part barrier, Chuck Shea, project manager for the Chicago Engineer District, told members of the Illinois River Carriers Association last week at IRCA’s meeting in St. Louis.
The district plans to bring the new barrier on-line in May and perform some planned maintenance on the first barrier.
Before that is done, however, scientists from the U.S. Navy are conducting a study of what would happen if someone fell in the water in the area of the barrier, he said. That study is due out next month, but already the Corps, Coast Guard and industry have stepped up an effort to increase public awareness of the barrier….
On March 3, one day before the Inland Waterways Conference, the Mid America REC Workgroup (MAREC) met in St. Louis to identify licensing program improvements. The group, led by Fred Nyhuis, has met for five years now.
The open forum was well attended. It is the second year in a row that Rear Adm. Joel Whitehead, commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District, was present. Also present representing the Coast Guard were Cmdr. James Stewart, Capt. Dave Stalfort, Capt. David Kranking, Dave Calvert, Jim Blum and Richard Wells. Several towing companies were represented.
Stewart spoke regarding numerous improvements made on the district level. Specifically, the limited geographic license has been revised, per recommendations made by members of American Waterways Operators, and will be reissued shortly. Several restrictions were either removed or altered.
Bill Kline with The River School raised several issues during the meeting. One issue is the need for a TWIC enrollment location in the Quad Cities area. Stewart said he would investigate the issue.
Progress within the new National Maritime Center (NMC) in West Virginia was addressed by its new commander, Capt. Stalfort. To date, there are 170 personnel at NMC, a number expected to grow to 320 by the end of this year. According to Stalfort, NMC has seen a decrease in processing time since it began operations. They also hope to provide improved customer service with the addition of a “help desk” and better consistency across the nation….
The theme for the 2008 Inland Waterways Conference was “Environmental Partners for a Safe and Sustainable Waterway.” In keeping with this theme, a panel of representatives from both industry and non-industry backgrounds discussed issues of vessel compliance, with particular attention given to emissions standards.
The first speaker was Justin Greuel, an environmental scientist from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. His presentation focused on changing emissions regulations for the inland waterways. The EPA is in a final phase of rulemaking for new diesel engine standards.
These new standards have been developed with involvement from several organizations, including the Coast Guard, the U.S. Maritime Administration, the American Waterways Operators, the Passenger Vessel Association, the Offshore Marine Service Association, and the Lake Carriers Association.
Although Greuel was unable to give details on the final regulations, he explained that the new rules will be similar to what has already been proposed. The diesel engine standards will cover any engine smaller than 30 liters per cylinder. The main goal in regulating these engines is to reduce emissions of nitrous oxide and particulate matter….
The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans unveiled an ambitious blueprint for short- and long-term growth March 6, aimed at positioning the port at the forefront of the global marketplace.
The board, port staff and New Orleans-based port planners Jemison & Partners Inc, produced the 2020 Master Plan, a 63-page document entitled “Charting the Future of the Port of New Orleans.” The $1 billion plan maps projects aimed at capturing new container and breakbulk cargo, providing expanded cruise opportunities, and outlines financing mechanisms to bring the plan to fruition.
“This is one of the most exciting and challenging times in the port’s history,” said Gary LaGrange, port president and chief executive officer. “With the coming expansion of the Panama Canal and booming global trade from emerging economies, the port is well positioned to capture new cargoes, create thousands of jobs, and provide new economic opportunities for the region, state and nation. But we must act now to remain ahead of competing ports.”
The document defines investments of more than $10.2 billion already on the books for competing ports along the Gulf and East coasts. Since the report was completed, the number has risen above $11 billion, port officials said….
“Imbedded in the fabric of the core of this mighty ship are the souls of many heroes, never to be forgotten.”
—Firefighter Ronald Parker (Ret.), Ladder Company 148, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Thousands of shipbuilders, first responders, Navy personnel, veterans, politicians, families of September 11 victims, and others witnessed an impressive ceremony as the USS New York was christened at Northrop Grumman’s Avondale Shipyard on the West Bank of New Orleans on March 1.
With the USO Liberty Belles opening the impressive ceremony, christening the amphibious transport dock ship LPD-21, was much more than a typical Navy ship christening. About 7-1/2 tons of steel were recovered from the World Trade Center, transported to a foundry in Amite, La., and melted down to be fabricated into the ship’s bow stem, the foremost part of the ship at the waterline.
Dotty England, wife of current Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, was the sponsor. On the second swing, she broke the bottle of champagne against the bow stem….
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