2013 SCOWT WASHINGTON MEETING WASHINGTON DC 20 JUNE

2013 SCOWT WASHINGTON MEETING/ WASHINGTON, DC 20 JUNE 2013 AASHTO Waterborne Freight Bottom Line Report Chris Smith Intermodal Policy and Program Manager American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

AASHTO Bottom Line Reports

Waterborne Freight Bottom Line Report AASHTO commissioned this report because the navigable waterways in 38 of the 50 states provide substantial economic benefits to the entire United States… State DOTs recognize the significant role the nation’s marine transportation assets play in terms of freight mobility as well as recognize the adverse effects for highways should waterborne freight be diverted…

“Business As Usual” • Leads to unacceptable further declines in condition and performance • Significant lost opportunities for our nation’s economy

Issues • Basic Maintenance and Preservation • Delays in Project Delivery • Inadequate Funding • Uncohesive Federal jurisdiction and national investment strategy

Alternatives for Action • Direct Corps to develop plan to address maintenance backlog with 2020 as goal for elimination • Authorize new WRDA! § Project Delivery streamlining § Upgraded BCAs § Full HMT Utilization with exemptions for domestic MH services

Alternatives for Action • Establish new Office of Multi-Modal Freight at USDOT • Freight Conditions and Performance § Economic Impact of Marine Transportation System § Environmental Analysis and Mitigation § Long-range national vision

Recommendations • Promote Best Practices and Guidance for State, Regional and Local planning

Current State of Play MAP-21 Implementation üState Freight Planning üNational Freight Network, Strategic Plan, Conditions and Performance Report üSense of the Congress Office of Multimodal Freight

Current State of Play WRDA Authorization • S. 601 passed 85 -14 § Process Reform § HMTF Addressed - 2020 • House bill expected this summer

WRDA in the House "Producing a WRDA bill is going to be a challenge because members of Congress can no longer specifically request projects that they know will have significance to the national economy, but I'm determined to find a way to address those priorities as we move forward” It will be up to lawmakers and industry to educate citizens about why the federal government should be investing in water infrastructure…one of the least understood modes of transportation.

WRDA in the House Policy • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee § Water Resources Subcommittee v. Ongoing policy hearings Appropriations • Appropriations Committee § Energy and Water Resources Subcommittee v. Corps appropriators – DRAFT Bill June 17 th v. HMTF spending - $1 billion in FY 2014 Tax Reform • Ways and Means Committee v. HMTF Reform

What’s Next • Continue MAP-21 Implementation Advocacy § Many States already integrating marine networks § Comments filed on Interim Guidance for State Freight Plans § National Freight Network Conditions and Performance Report § Continue support of Marine Highway Designations and Services

What’s Next WRDA • AASHTO Adopted Principles • Letter filed to Senate leadership • Bottom Line Report as Education Tool for House

Thank You Chris Smith American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 202 -624 -5839 or 202 -350 -1295 csmith@aashto. org http: //water. transportation. org @SEMINOLE 04