Weekly News Summary For October 8-14, 2007:
At WJ press time Thursday afternoon, President Bush had taken no action on the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, which authorizes numerous navigation, flood control and environmental projects on the nation’s waterways.
Both the National Waterways Conference and Waterways Council Inc. reported that the Bush administration on October 1 reiterated its threat to veto the measure, and both organizations called on members and waterway users to contact their congressional representatives in support of a potential veto override.
Such an override would seem likely, as the conference measure passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 381–40, and the Senate by 81–12. Should the president veto the bill, each house of Congress would have to vote to override the veto by a two-thirds majority, or 67 percent. The margins on the conference report were 90 percent in the House and 86 percent in the Senate….
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P. announced it has purchased the assets of Marine Terminals Inc. for approximately $100 million. Marine Terminals, which primarily handles and stores steel and alloys, has two facilities in Blytheville, Ark., and individual terminals in Decatur, Ala.; Hertford, N.C.; and Berkley, S.C. The five facilities handled approximately 13.4 million tons of steel products in 2006.
“These strategically located terminals will continue to provide handling, processing, harboring and warehousing services to Nucor Corporation, one of the largest steel and steel products companies in the world, under long-term contracts,” said Jeff Armstrong, KMP Terminals president. “Additionally, these facilities will provide Nucor and other customers further access to our growing national network of marine and rail terminals.”…
Consolidated Grain & Barge Company (CGB) has finalized the purchase of certain assets of the Pattison Bros. Mississippi River Terminal and took over operations of the facilities September 26.
The purchase includes Pattison’s former river terminal assets in Clayton, Iowa; country elevator assets in Fayette, Iowa; and fertilizer warehouse and distribution assets located in Clayton, Iowa.
CGB added 65 former Pattison employees to its roster of more than 1,100 employees.
“We are excited to expand our business footprint into northeast Iowa,” said Kevin Adams, chief executive officer and president of CGB. “These strategically situated facilities will increase the strength of our grain and fertilizer operations. Our longstanding relationship with the Pattison business for the past several years has facilitated the transition and will allow business activity to continue uninterrupted for the local customer base.”…
When Hurricane Katrina roared ashore two years ago, flooding from failing levees grabbed the headlines. What did not receive as much publicity was the second biggest failure of the storm—communications.
With telephone wires in shambles and transmission towers for cell phones and radios toppled, first responders were crippled. Law enforcement was unable to call for back-up in tense situations. First responders who came into the area to help often had communications systems that were not compatible with the locals.
In an effort to address the communications issue, the Port of South Louisiana (PSL) secured Homeland Security funding for a port security vessel. The federal government put up $880,000 of the $1.3 million purchase price.
The boat will be available mainly to the five ports on the Lower Mississippi River.
“We’ll take the boat just about anywhere,” said Mitch Smith, PSL operations manager. “They’ll just have to pay the fuel.”
While it looks like a normal crew boat with a raised wheelhouse, the extra headroom below decks is anything but normal. Below decks is a communications center that takes on the feel of Star Wars….
At the Waterways Council Symposium in Houston recently, the National Rivers Hall of Fame presented William “Norb” Whitlock and Kenneth Wheeler the prestigious National Rivers Hall of Fame Achievement Award. The award is the highest honor presented by the National Rivers Hall of Fame to those people who are making significant contributions to America’s waterways.
Jerry Enzler, executive director, and Teri Goodmann, director of national advancement, made the presentations at the opening day reception October 1….
Twenty-one vessels were waiting in queue at 9:45 a.m. October 4 when the U.S. Coast Guard reopened the Mississippi River to traffic after closing it at 5:20 p.m. October 3 from Mile 430 to 440.
The mv. American Heritage, a triple screw towboat with 10,500 hp., owned by American River Transportation Company, lost its tow of 42 loaded grain barges at 2:30 p.m. October 3.
Six of the barges were grounded.
The I-20 Bridge at Vicksburg was closed and inspected by the Mississippi Department of Transportation before it was reopened.
“It’s undetermined how many (barges) struck the bridge,” Petty Officer Thomas Blue said.
No injuries or pollution were reported. The cause of the incident is under investigation….
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