Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle has announced a major initiative to “return USACE to a focus on its core missions and ensure the enterprise continues to be the most trusted national resource delivering water resources solutions.”
Telle, who has been on the job for about six months, described the plan to lawmakers as the most significant transformation of the program since at least 1986.
Telle said the plan will direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow the delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.
“President Trump has empowered his administration to work with lightspeed efficiency to make our government deliver more for all Americans,” Telle said in his announcement.
Commanders will be empowered to take informed risks in advancing critical water resources projects and programs to completion faster and at less cost, according to the announcement.
The policy changes will also bring greater transparency and accountability for the program to the American public, project partners and sponsors, industry and the elected leaders who make the annual funding decisions for the Civil Works program, the announcement added.
State Of The Union
President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to Congress to demand a full and immediate restoration of the funding needed to end the partial government shutdown, which was closing in on its third week.
Blaming Democrats, Trump said the government cannot even help Americans clean up snow left by a recent winter storm.
“It’s all cut off,” he said of the funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration.
The president’s demand, though, did not appear to move the needle for either side in the impasse.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he remained “hopeful” for a breakthrough and expressed support for finding a way to pay federal workers during the current shutdown.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats were waiting for a response from Republicans on their latest proposal.
NMC Operations
To mitigate the impact caused by the partial government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) announced it has implemented the following measures.
Merchant Mariner Credentials (national endorsements only) and medical certificates (national and pilot expiration dates only) that expire in February and March remain valid until April 30.
Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential and a copy of the shutdown policy letter while sailing under the authority of those credentials.
Regarding mariner examinations, mariners who began but did not complete all modules of an examination prior to February 13 may resume testing without penalty once the NMC reopens. Testing should be completed within 60 days of reopening. In addition, 90-day retest periods were paused on February 13 and will restart upon reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
Questions may be directed to the customer service center via the NMC online chat system, by email to IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by phone to 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
Coast Guard RIF
The Coast Guard published a request for information (RIF) seeking public input on improving its Streamlined Inspection Program (SIP), which is explained in Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 02-99.
“We seek information, ideas and recommendations to ensure SIP implementation aligns with national security, economic prosperity and workforce development objectives set forth in the presidential executive order on Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” the RIF stated. “Finally, public input will aid in developing and improving the SIP as a tool for strengthening the domestic maritime industrial base, enhancing regulatory efficiency and supporting the competitiveness of U.S.-flagged and U.S. built vessels.”
Comments must be received by March 20 and may be submitted under Docket No. USCG-2026-0041 at www.regulations.gov. For additional information, contact Lt. Cmdr. Vanessa Taylor at Vanessa.R.Taylor@uscg.mil or 571-608-0737.
State Freight Plans
The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a Notice of Guidance on a provision dating back several years requiring states to develop a state freight plan providing a comprehensive approach for the immediate and long-range planning activities and investments with respect to freight. Updated guidance continues to encourage states to establish state freight advisory committees. Elements to be considered for the plans ranged from an inventory of commercial ports in a state and an assessment of commercial motor vehicle parking facilities to mobility issues such as bottlenecks.
Unless otherwise stated in the notice, the guidance took effect February 24. For additional information, contact Paul Baumer at 202-366-1092 or freight@dot.gov.
