Washington Waves: Waterway News From D. C.
Just days after the power-shifting midterm elections, lawmakers returned to the Capitol with a packed legislative agenda that includes bills important to the waterways industry.
While other measures may grab the initial spotlight, nothing tops the need to keep the federal government funded and avoid yet another shutdown. Current funding that was approved earlier this year with much less drama than usual runs through December 11.
“Another temporary funding measure remains a distinct possibility,” the National Waterways Conference (NWC) stated even before the midterm elections shifted power in both chambers of Congress from Republican to Democrat.
For the water resources community, NWC said decisions on funding bills affect the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Bureau of Reclamation and the Maritime Administration.
NWC also emphasized other key bills awaiting votes, such as the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, the National Defense Authorization Act, the National Flood Insurance Program, surface transportation programs, permitting reform and a Farm Bill.
On its first day back in session, the Senate easily advanced a major bipartisan permitting reform bill, moving the measure toward what could be a robust amendment process.
That 73-25 vote came after key Senate sponsors released a substitute amendment in response to provisions in the initial version of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) that critics warned would weaken protections for the environment and tribal sovereignty.
In remarks before the vote, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, spoke of the significant impact the measure would have on energy and affordability issues facing Americans today.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity, and a legislative breakthrough we can accomplish in this unique moment,” she said.
Moore Capito said the substitute amendment preserves the foundation of the BAAJA while making targeted changes based on feedback from other members of Congress and stakeholders to further build support.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the panel’s ranking member, also expressed gratitude for the input to improve the bill.
“Now it’s time to pass this bill so we can lower costs, juice the clean energy economy, build big things again in America, reduce pollution and create tons of new well-paying union jobs,” Whitehouse said.
Other key supporters of the bill include Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the chair and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
President Donald Trump used a posting on Truth Social to urge senators to vote for the bill, calling it a big win for U.S. energy independence and dominance.
Deepwater Port Licensing Rulemaking
The Maritime Administration (MarAd) is seeking comments on its proposed rulemaking on processing applications for the licensing of deepwater ports.
MarAd said the proposed rule reflects the transfer of management of deepwater port license application processing under the Deepwater Port Act from the Coast Guard (USCG) to MarAd.
Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA26), MarAd is the lead federal agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 for all deepwater port license applications.
MarAd said the Coast Guard responsibility for authorities pertaining to design, construction, equipment and operation of deepwater ports and navigational safety are not affected by the 2026 NDAA statutory changes or this proposed rule and will continue to be administered by the Coast Guard.
Comments should be filed by January 4, but MarAd said late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. Identified by DOT Docket No. MARAD–2026–0728, comments may be filed via https://www.regulations.gov, Mail/Hand-Delivery/Courier at Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590.
For additional information, contact Efrain Lopez at 202-495-8867, efrain.lopez@dot.gov or mail at U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR–530, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Record Of Decision For Inner Harbor Lock
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, La., New Industrial Canal Lock and Connecting Channels Proposed Project, Orleans Parish, La.
Signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) on August 27, the ROD outlines the conclusion of the environmental impacts analysis related to the recommended design and construction of a new navigation lock within the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) between the Claiborne and Florida Avenue bridges in Orleans Parish to improve efficient and reliable passage of waterborne traffic locking through the IHNC, reduce the frequency and costs associated with major operation and maintenance events and construct a modern navigation lock in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), IHNC in Orleans Parish, La.
The ROD is available for viewing and downloading on the USACE New Orleans District study website at: https:// www.mvn.usace.army.mil/about/projects/ihnc-lock-replacement/.
For additional information, contact Mark Lahare at 504-862-1344 or Mark.H.Lahare@usace.army.mil.
