Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.
September 12, 2025
Newly installed Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle enjoyed an easy ride to confirmation in the Senate, where he had worked for two decades. Telle’s inaugural appearance before a key House panel, however, indicated the congressional honeymoon had ended.
“My goal as chairman of the subcommittee is to get the Corps to complete its projects on time, under budget and correctly,” said Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. “Unfortunately, Corps project delivery often falls short of where it should be.”
Collins conceded the budgetary problems facing the Corps but added those problems “are not excuses for study delays, years-long dredging backlogs and mismanagement of repairs to vital locks and dams on our inland waterways system.”
Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the full committee’s ranking member, challenged the Trump administration’s proposed 24 percent reduction in Corps funding, which he warned would significantly slow project delivery, delay realization of critical transportation, flood control and environmental benefits, worsen supply chain delivery challenges and leave communities vulnerable to extreme weather events.
“The FY2026 budget also ignores the legal requirements of WRDA to spend 100 percent of annual Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) collections for critical port maintenance work, as well as to dedicate 12 percent of expenditures to donor and energy transfer ports,” Larsen said.
Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) was even more blunt as he accused the Trump administration of going after the Corps with funding and staffing reductions.
“You are in one serious mess,” said Garamendi as he told Telle his agency must enforce specific provisions in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) passed by Congress. “WRDA is the law of the land, and you are required, this administration is required, to carry out the law and not to write their own version of it.”
In his remarks to the panel, Telle cited “much-needed” changes to the National Environmental Policy Act that will reform, modernize and expedite environmental review.
Telle said that, by the end of the year, a permanent definition of the “Waters of the United States” will be issued to reduce red tape, cut permitting costs and protect America’s waters.
NMC Medical Certificates
Medical certificates issued between July 25 and September 3 have limitations and restrictions sections impacted by a system error, according to the National Maritime Center (NMC).
“In some cases, a limitation of ‘Yes’ may be listed in error,” the NMC stated. “In other cases, a valid limitation or restriction may be listed as a ‘NO’ on the certificate.”
All issued medical certificates remain valid, the NMC stated, adding that corrected medical certificates for those mariners affected will be issued during the next month to ensure clarity of limitations and restrictions.
While the NMC is actively addressing the matter, the agency said, mariners should review their medical certificates for accuracy.
For assistance, contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using Live Chat, emailing iasknmc@uscg.mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
Additional FRCs
The Coast Guard announced it has exercised a $507-million contract option with Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La., to fund initial construction of 10 additional fast response cutters (FRCs) to help modernize the fleet and expand the service’s global maritime mission.
That action increases the total number of FRCs ordered under the current agreement from 67 to 77 with the first funded through this option expected to be delivered in fiscal year 2028.
“As the first Coast Guard contracting action to execute over $100 million in reconciliation funds and the first reconciliation-funded action executed by a cutter program, this is a historic accomplishment for the service,” said Rear Adm. Mike Campbell, director of systems integration and chief acquisition officer. “Since its introduction to the fleet in 2012 as the successor to the 110-foot Island-class patrol boat, the fast response cutter has consistently proven its capabilities, adaptability and effectiveness in a wide range of maritime environments and Coast Guard missions.”
House Passes NDAA
The House approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026 as the Senate continues to move toward a vote on its version of the annual legislation.
Passed by a vote of 231 to 196, H.R. 3838 includes provisions described as “fundamental reform of the Pentagon’s acquisition process” to get the nation’s warfighters “what they need when they need it.”
Republicans also singled out provisions that codify more than 45 of President Donald Trump’s executive orders and legislative proposals.
“The FY26 NDAA makes a generational investment in our national defense and implements President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the committee’s ranking member, voted against passage of the bill.
Smith said the Republican leadership once again has cast aside the time-honored tradition of bipartisan work on the defense bill and included countless partisan amendments to score points in a right-wing culture war instead of focusing on the needs of service members and their families.
Pilotage Rates
The Coast Guard proposed new base Great Lakes pilotage rates for the 2026 shipping season that could result in a roughly 7 percent decrease in operating costs compared to the 2025 season.
In its September 5 notice in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard announced it also was proposing one change to the ratemaking methodology to remove Step 5 regarding the working capital fund.
Citing the requirement to conduct a full ratemaking at least every five years, the service said it is conducting a full ratemaking for 2026.
Comments on the methodology, which will be accepted until October 8, may be submitted at www.regulations.gov under Docket No. USCG-2025-0252. For additional information, contact Brian Rogers at 571-608-8418 or Brian.Rogers@uscg.mil.
Anchorage Regulations
The Coast Guard issued a final rule amending the anchorage regulations for Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors to improve navigation safety, accommodate increased volume of vessel traffic and larger vessels and alleviate vessels anchoring near a subsea pipeline.
Effective October 9, the rule followed a process that began with a notice of proposed rulemaking in 2024. Documents can be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No.USCG-2023-0868. For additional information, contact Lt. Rubymar Sebastian-Echevarria at 571-613-2930, 206-820-5620 or D11waterways@uscg.mil.
Coast Guard, Raymarine CRADA
The Coast Guard has announced intent to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Raymarine to determine the efficacy of Team Awareness Kit incorporation into existing and future navigation systems.
While considering partnering with Raymarine, the Coast Guard said it is soliciting public comment on the possible nature of and participation of other parties in the proposed CRADA.
It also encourages other federal agencies with relevant research interests and capabilities to submit proposals for similar CRADAs.
Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard by October 6 and may be submitted at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. USCG-2025-0294. For additional information, contact Paul Harvey at 860-271-2600 or RDC-info@uscg.mil.
