We look forward to partnering with our colleagues of the North Carolina Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association (NCBIWA). Both of our association meetings will be held consecutively at the Aloft Hotel in downtown Wilmington. The AIWA Annual Meeting takes place on November 13-15 and the NCBIWA meeting begins on November 16-17.

The AIWA annual meeting opens with an icebreaker happy hour on Monday evening, November 13. Beginning Tuesday morning through Wednesday early afternoon, our program includes presentations from our partners and conversations with members and stakeholders. We are especially interested in hearing of any presentation topics you would like included in this year’s program. 

On the Annual Conference webpage you will find registration, hotel booking, and sponsorship opportunities. Please contact Brad Pickel to learn more. We look forward to seeing you in Wilmington in November!

The Senate FY24 appropriations bill did not include any Congressionally Directed Spending requests (i.e. earmarks) for the AIWW/IWW or NJIWW so the state allocations match the House version and the original President’s budget request as shown below.  However, the Senate allocations for the Additional Dredging needs funding pots were different than the House version, and in the case of Small, Remote and Subsistence Navigation much higher. These funds provide an opportunity for the waterway to receive additional funding, details below:

State Allocations:
VA – ACC Canal – President Budget Amount – $3.505 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $3.505 million
VA – Dismal Swamp Canal – President Budget Amount – $1.797 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $1.797 million
NC – President Budget Amount – $6.373 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $6.373 million
SC – President Budget Amount – $8.52 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $8.52 million
GA – President Budget Amount – $4.028 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $4.028 million
FL – President Budget Amount – $4.054 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $4.054 million

Total for AIWW/IWW – President Budget Amount – $28.277 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $28.277 million

NJIWW – President Budget Amount – $2.852 million, House and Senate Appropriations Bill amount – $2.852 million

Funding pots allocations:
Additional Dredging Needs for Navigation Maintenance: House- $20 million, Senate- $10 million
Additional Dredging Needs for Inland Waterways: House- $40 million, Senate- $10 million
Additional Dredging Needs for Small, Remote and Subsistence Navigation: House- $65 million, Senate- $178 million

These funding pots would be allocated by the Corps at a later date. However, since the Senate and House numbers are different, there will be negotiated changes before they would be included in the final appropriations bill.

The next step is for the respective bills to be reviewed and passed by the full House of Representatives and Senate prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year which starts on October 1. However, Congress is currently on August recess and will not return until after Labor Day. This leaves only a small window to pass all 12 appropriations bills. If the House and Senate do not complete their work by September 30th, they will have to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government open. It is very unlikely that the Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill can be passed by September 30th. Fortunately, many waterway projects are currently underway or scheduled to be under contract by the end of September.  We will continue to monitor the process and provide updates in our September newsletter.

1. Create shade. Direct sunlight can make the air feel 10- to 15 degrees warmer. Reduce the time you spend in it. If you don’t have a cabin or bimini top that offers sun protection, wide-brimmed hats; loose fitting, moisture-wicking clothing (try a UPF-rated long sleeve shirt); or fishing neck gaiters are next best. Of course, reef-friendly sunblock is a must for burn prevention.

2. Keep extra water aboard. Yeah, that’s a no-brainer. However, you’d be surprised how many boaters bring just enough water for a single day’s outing. Crew and guests may want consume water like out of a firehose on super hot days! (Good boating housekeeping tip: Keep a supply of bottled water in a locker or dry bilge area next to the hull, below the waterline. The water will stay cooler than the air temperature, and it makes it easy to share – or restock your cooler.)

3. Know how to stay cool, safely. Of course, boaters can take advantage of the best way to stay cool: jump in! Just don’t jump off a moving vessel. Find a safe, out-the-way anchorage, drop the hook and enjoy!

4. Know the signs of heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to cool down. It can happen either gradually or suddenly. Telltale signs are heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting, skin hot to the touch, nausea or vomiting. Infants and children are especially susceptible. Immediately moving the victim to a cooler environment and providing lots of fluids can help buy time for a heatstroke victim until you reach first responders.

5. Have a way to communicate. If you have an unexpected breakdown or other issue, this is not the time of year to be stuck out on the water. Not only is the temperature a significant stressor, atmospheric conditions, especially in the afternoon hours, can bring sudden and powerful storms. Ensure your VHF is operational, and bring your cellphone, keeping it dry and charged.