See also:
06-14-05 Congressmen
disappointed
Copy of 06/21/05 dredging comments
e-mail from AIWW's Rosemary
Lynch
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Some NC Members
of Congress Lack Knowledge of Economic Value of the AIWW |
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Dear Waterway Supporters,,
The following article is from today's Rocky Mount
Telegram. Residents of NC, especially, those who are represented by a Member of
Congress mentioned in this article, need to contact your Representative and let
them know how you feel about their abandonment of the AIWW.
Please send a thank-you to Rep. Walter Jones. He introduced an amendment to the
FY06 Budget asking for an additional $20M for the Corps of Engineers to maintain
inland waterways. The Chairman of the Energy & Water Development subcommittee, a
fellow Republican, stood and spoke against his amendment. Rep. Jones, however,
would not back down because his amendment would benefit his constituents. He
asked for a recorded vote on the amendment. The amendment was defeated by a vote
of 152-275. That is over 1/3 of the House Members who voted in favor of the
amendment. To view the results of the recorded vote go to National Waterways
Conference and click on Roll Call 208. If your representative voted against the
amendment, please let them know that you support funding for the AIWW and you
VOTE.
Thanks,
Rosemary Lynch
AIWA
Opinion
Leaky logic: Waterway bill hits rough seas
Rocky Mount Telegram
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Six North Carolina members of the U.S. House of Representatives did their state
few favors last week when they voted against an Intracoastal Waterway
maintenance bill.
The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-3rd District, called for the
federal government to simply continue honoring its commitment to dredge the
Intracoastal Waterway and the channels that connect it with the Atlantic Ocean,
as it has for decades.
President Bush wants to cut off federal money for those projects in order to
save money. That's a worthy aim, but it's hardly fair, given the importance of
the Intracoastal Waterway as an avenue for vessels all along the Eastern
Seaboard.
Bush contends that few barges or commercial boats use the waterway any more. But
that ignores an increasing number of recreational vessels that use the waterway.
Now that North Carolina's traditional industries of tobacco, textiles and
furniture are on hard times, are we to turn our backs on tourism, too?
Jones' bill faced an uphill fight in the House, where representatives are
fighting to muzzle a federal deficit that next year will hit almost $500
billion. But who would have thought a bill so keen to North Carolina interests
would meet such resistance within the state's own delegation?
Five Democrats from North Carolina — U.S. Reps. Bob Etheridge, G.K. Butterfield,
David Price, Mel Watt and Mike McIntyre voted for Jones' bill, as did U.S. Rep.
Howard Coble, a Republican from the 6th District.
But other Republicans from North Carolina sided against it, including U.S. Reps.
Robin Hayes, Virginia Foxx, Patrick McHenry, Charles Taylor and Sue Myrick. U.S.
Rep. Brad Miller, a Democrat, also voted against Jones' legislation.
We've heard of being up a creek without a paddle. Who'd have thought so many
members of Congress from North Carolina would vote to dry up the water, as well?
Also a press release from Sen. Dole's office:
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES FUNDING FOR NC COASTAL PROJECTS
June 17th, 2005 - Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole today announced
that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Energy and Water Spending
Bill for fiscal year 2006. The bill includes more than $89.8 million
specifically for North Carolina, including significant funding for beach
renourishment and dredging projects. Senator Dole pressed the committee to
include North Carolina projects in the bill.
“It is so important that we make every effort to protect our beaches and keep
our inlets and waterways properly maintained,” said Senator Dole. “Our coastal
economies depend on tourism as their main source of livelihood. Lack of beach
and ocean access negatively affects the tourism industry and causes serious
ramifications for these communities.”
“Also, it is critically important that we have a deep water port in North
Carolina, not only for economic development, but also to support our state’s
defense community,” said Senator Dole. “I am pleased the committee accepted my
requests for funding for these projects.”
The bill is expected to be considered by the entire Senate in the coming weeks.
NOTE: Once approved by the Senate, this version of the bill must be reconciled
in conference with the House of Representatives-passed version of the bill. A
final bill then will have to be approved by both the House and the Senate and go
before the president for his signature.
Bill Highlights
Wilmington Harbor: $13,963,000 for Operations and Maintenance; $19,900,000 for
Construction
Morehead City Harbor: $3,575,000 for Maintenance Dredging
Morehead City Harbor Section 933 Project: $4,625,000
Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina: $5,860,000 for Dredging
Oregon Inlet: $15,855,000 for Dredging
Lockwoods Folly Inlet: $950,000 for Dredging
New River Inlet: $1,050,000 for Dredging
Carolina Beach: $550,000 for Dredging
New Topsail Inlet: $675,000 for Dredging
Masonboro Inlet and Connecting Channels: $3,700,000 for Dredging
Cape Fear River above Wilmington: $635,000 for Locks and Dams Repairs and
Maintenance
Cape Fear River Locks and Dams: $300,000 for a Section 216 Study
Brunswick County Beaches: $300,000 for Shore Protection
Dare County Beaches: $2,500,000 for Shore Protection
West Onslow Beach and River Inlet (Topsail Beach): $600,000 for Shore Protection
Wrightsville Beach: $890,000 for Shore Protection
Bogue Banks: $150,000 for Shore Protection
Surf City and North Topsail Beach: $350,000 for Shore Protection
Currituck Sound: $300,000 for Environmental Restoration
Neuse River Basin: $260,000 for Flood Control Project
