Earlier today, July 8th, the AIWA’s Commercial Operators & Corporate Members Stakeholder Group held their quarterly meeting to discuss issues impacting public movement and products along the waterway.

Executive Director Brad Pickel began the meeting by providing a brief recap of progress in the federal appropriations process since the last meeting held in April. While Congress hasn’t finalized any appropriations bills, three congressional earmark requests totaling $22.8M are advancing through the House of Representatives, and for the first time, Senate earmark requests have been submitted by Senators Ossoff and Warnock for Georgia. The current funding chart is listed below.

Representatives from the Wilmington District, Charleston District and South Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offered updates on active and upcoming dredging and dredge material management projects across multiple Corps districts. In addition, Janet Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Florida Inland Navigation District, shared recently completed projects in Florida, and highlighted a shoaling concern in Nassau County just south of Fernandina Beach.

The group discussed the limited openings of the north span of the North Landing Bridge in Virginia. North Landing Bridge’s limited openings (twice daily at 10 AM and 7 PM only) are significantly disrupting commercial operators. Upon group agreement, the AIWA will request a third daily opening to occur in the overnight hours.

The next quarterly meeting is October 15, and we invite all commercial stakeholders and corporate members to participate. Please contact Brad Pickel for more information to get involved.