Committee to Examine U.S. Ports’ Operation and Maintenance Needs

January 31, 2013

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a full committee hearing entitled, “The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the Need to Invest in the Nation’s Ports.”

The hearing is scheduled for 10:00am EST in 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building. This is the first hearing on legislation that may be included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

Ranking Member David Vitter (R-La.) welcomes Louisiana native Capt. Mike Lorino, President of Associated Branch Pilots, who will testify before the committee.

Members will hear from witnesses examining the role of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund in maintaining U.S. ports, the funding needs for port operation and maintenance, and the importance of ports to the nation’s economy.

Last Congress, Vitter supported the Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act, which would help increase the revenue used by the Army Corps of Engineers from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for maintenance and dredging, and cosponsored the Senate version S. 412, Harbor Maintenance Act of 2011. The RAMP Act has been reintroduced as H.R. 335, with bipartisan support in the House.

Witnesses confirmed to testify include:

– The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)

– Mr. Michael R. Christensen, PE, Deputy Executive Director of Development, Port of Los Angeles; Chair, California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference; Member, California Association of Port Authorities

– Mr. Mike Lorino, President, Associated Branch Pilots

– Mr. James K. Lyons , Director & CEO, Alabama State Port Authority

– Mr. Andrew H. Cairns, PE, PMP, Board Member, American Society of Civil Engineers’ Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute; Ports & Marine – Northeast Lead, AECOM.

[mappress]

Press Release, January 31, 2013