FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 20, 1998
Contacts: Coast Guard: Cathy McDermott, 202-267-2304
MARAD: John Swank, 202-366-5807
DOT 51-98
Listening Sessions in Seven
Cities
SECRETARY SLATER BEGINS
MARINE TRANSPORTATION REVIEW
Anticipating a substantial surge in demand for marine transportation in the next century, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced a new effort to ensure that U.S. waterways, ports and their intermodal connections meet user needs, public expectations and the nation’s needs for efficient, safe and environmentally sound transportation.
"President Clinton is committed to common sense in government that serves our nation’s interests, " Secretary Slater said. "This review will help develop comprehensive strategies to address the dynamic growth in shipping and serve as a means to improve the nation’s waterways, ports, and their intermodal connections."
Today’s initial meeting with federal partners and private sector and interest organizations, including port, maritime, environment, recreation and fishing representatives, is the first step in this effort. There also will be a series of seven regional listening sessions to hear views from users and operators on the status and needs of waterways, ports and intermodal connections.
A national conference in the fall of 1998 will address key issues identified in the regional listening sessions, develop solutions, and explore potential strategies. The conference also will develop a vision for an improved and more cooperative approach to the delivery of federal services.
Marine transportation currently carries 95 percent of U.S. overseas trade, and projections show that U.S.-foreign ocean borne trade is expected to more than double by the year 2020. Commuter ferries, recreational boating and other recreational uses of the waterways also are expected to increase, placing greater demands on the marine transportation system.
Transportation Department participants emphasized the role intermodal connectors play in moving goods to and from port facilities.
"Most international commerce passes through ports and terminals. That’s why it’s so important that connections between transportation modes be a big part of this effort," Acting Maritime Administrator John Graykowski said. "Making sure we can efficiently transfer our commercial cargoes from water to land modes of transportation has the added benefit of providing an effective transportation system to meet defense transportation needs as well."
Many federal agencies, state and local governments, port authorities, labor, and private industry share responsibility for the marine transportation system. Economic, safety and environmental implications of aging infrastructure, inadequate channels and congested intermodal connections are expected to become more critical as marine traffic volume increases.
"National leadership is needed now to ensure our waterways keep pace with the shore-side infrastructure," said Admiral Robert Kramek, U.S. Coast Guard commandant. "Failure to plan now for these challenges could reduce U.S. competitiveness and increase risks to safety and the marine environment."
Joining agencies of the department in the review effort are the Army Corps of Engineers and National Imagery and Mapping Agency from the Department of Defense; the Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service; the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Transportation Department agencies participating include the U.S. Coast Guard, Maritime Administration (MARAD), Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Research and Special Programs Administration, St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, and the department’s Offices of Intermodalism and Transportation Policy.
The first listening session will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 31 in New Orleans at the Port of New Orleans, 1320 Port of New Orleans Place. Additional meetings are planned for the same time in Oakland, Calif., April 14; New York, April 21; Cleveland, April 29; St. Louis, May 5; Charleston, S.C., May 13; and Portland, Ore., May 19.
A summary from each listening session will be placed in the public docket and will be available on the World Wide Web at the department’s docket website, http://dms.dot.gov, for public review and comment. Additionally, comments may be provided, as indicated in Federal Register notice USCG-98-3553 (63 FR 13295), to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590-0001.
Questions regarding this effort should be directed to the U.S. Coast Guard Waterways Management Studies and Program Development Directorate, (202) 267-6164, or the MARAD Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping, (202) 366-4357.
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