Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.

August 8, 2025

The Senate easily confirmed the nomination of veteran congressional staffer Adam Telle to serve as the 14th assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Submitted by President Donald Trump, the nomination was approved by a vote of 72 to 22.

In addition to two decades of service in the Senate, Telle also led the White House Office of Legislative Affairs’ Senate team during Trump’s first term. When tapped for the new job, Telle was serving as chief of staff for Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).

Telle, a native of Alabama, enters his new job with an unusual level of experience and knowledge of the issues handled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast during his first month working for the Senate, and he was tasked to run point on Mississippi’s recovery effort.

During a hearing on his nomination, Telle promised an aggressive approach in tackling critical issues, including permitting reform, a top issue for key lawmakers that he said must be met with “haste, transparency and clarity.”

AAPA-led Letter To Congress

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) helped lead a coalition of every donor and energy transfer port in urging congressional appropriators to reverse a “harmful funding diversion and restore critical support for ports” through the fiscal year 2026 appropriation process.

In a letter to key lawmakers, the ports specifically asked for provisions in the FY 2026 Energy and Water appropriations bill to implement Section 102 of the 2020 Water Resources Development ACT (WRDA) and provide clear direction to allocate Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) resources to emerging harbors, Great Lakes ports, strategic ports and donor and energy transfer ports.

“Unfortunately, the administration opted to ignore congressional intent and not adhere to the WRDA 2020 framework when making spending allocations of HMTF funding included in the FY25 continuing resolution in the FY25 Work Plan,” the letter stated.

The letter went on to express hope the “misstep” could be corrected.

Neches River Anchorage

The Coast Guard is seeking comments on its proposal to establish an anchorage ground on the Neches River near Port Arthur, Texas, to accommodate increased vessel traffic, improve navigational safety for vessels transiting the Sabine-Neches Waterway and support the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

Comments must be received by September 3 and may be submitted under Docket No. USCG-2025-0579 online at www.regulations.gov. For additional information, contact Douglas Hendrix at 409-719-5086 or douglas.g.hendrix2@uscg.mil.

MRC Tour

The Mississippi River Commission has scheduled public meetings in August aboard the mv. Mississippi for the group’s annual low water tour. The first meeting will be held August 15 in St. Louis, with meetings following August 18 at Caruthersville, Mo., August 19 in Memphis, Tenn., August 20 in Greenville, Miss., and August 22 in Morgan City, La.

The agenda for the meetings includes a summary report on national and regional issues, the local Corps district commander’s overview of current project issues and presentations by local organizations and members of the public.

For additional information, contact Jacob Brister at 601-634-7023 or visit the Mississippi River Commission’s website at www.mvd.usace.army.mil.

Seaport Manatee Security Zone

The Coast Guard is seeking comments on its proposal to establish a permanent security zone in the vicinity of Seaport Manatee facilities and ship berths in Florida to enhance safety and protect vessels, facilities and infrastructure from potential threats.

“This proposed rulemaking would allow for controlled access of authorized vessels and facility personnel within the security zone only,” the Coast Guard stated.

Comments must be received by September 3 and may be submitted under Docket No. USCG-2025-0223 at www.regulations.gov. For additional information, contact Lt. Ryan McNaughton at 571-608-7131 or Ryan.A.McNaughton@uscg.mil.

Coast Guard Final Rule

Due to hazardous conditions caused sporadically by increased vessel traffic, the Coast Guard issued a final rule without notice establishing a regulated navigation area to control vessel movement for certain waters of Lake Michigan, the Ludington Harbor Channel and Pere Marquette Lake in Ludington, Mich.

The rule took effect August 6. Documents are available at www.regulations.gov under Docket No. USCG-2024-1102.

Following a comment period ending June 23, the Coast Guard clarified the rule is permanent but the enforcement periods will be temporary.

The service said the captain of the port, with input from local law enforcement authorities, can activate and enforce the rule while conditions warrant.

For additional information, contact Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Anderson at 414-216-8428 or email d09-smb-seclakemichigan-wwm@uscg.mil.

Small Passenger Vessel Rule

The Coast Guard’s Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG) has published updates to an interim final rule that applies to covered small passenger vessels (CPSVs) with overnight accommodations for passengers and includes requirements for the installation and arrangement of watch monitoring devices.

Included in CG-ENG Policy Letter 02-25, “Watch Monitoring Devices on Small Passenger Vessels Interim Rule Clarification,” the updates promote consistent implementation and enforcement of watch monitoring device requirements and specifically clarifies that monitoring devices must be arranged to ensure the wakefulness of all watchmen.

“Vessel operators should consider the size, arrangement and operation of the vessel when installing or modifying watch monitoring systems,” the agency stated, adding that final approval of system arrangements remains to the satisfaction of the OCMI.

A copy of CG-ENG Policy Letter 02- 25 is available on the agency’s website.

For vessel-specific questions, owners and operators should contact their local marine inspection office.

General questions may be submitted via CGENG@uscg.mil.

Water Quality Survey

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Lake Guardian has begun its annual summer water quality survey through each of the five Great Lakes.

“During the month-long survey, scientists will collect samples of water and small aquatic organisms like plankton, critical species in the lower food web,” the EPA said.

“Data gathered on the annual surveys enables EPA and partner agencies to assess how invasive species and algal blooms affect fisheries and water quality to better protect the Great Lakes for drinking water, fishing and recreation.”