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1 Introduction
Pages 6-13

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From page 6...
... initiated this consensus study of the inland waterways system because of reports of deteriorating and aged infrastructure combined with inadequate capital investment, a growing backlog of capital needs, and declining federal funding for inland navigation. This report describes issues relevant to policy makers in considering investments for the inland waterways system.
From page 7...
... 3. The committee will examine alternate estimates of the level of investment required for an efficient inland waterways navigation system, taking into consideration the difference in peak demand (and therefore capital requirements)
From page 8...
... Inland Waterways System The primary concern of this report is funding for lock and dam infrastructure on rivers or river systems. Locks and dams are the main mechanism for enabling cargo movements and the most expensive component in maintaining the inland waterways for barge transportation, although other activities such as dredging are necessary and can be costly.
From page 9...
... Guidance for Policy The committee offers conceptual frameworks and practical illustrations to aid policy makers in their deliberations related to inland waterways system funding. The report identifies the main policy issues, relevant sources of data, facts to consider, and other concerns that can affect policy judgments about the inland waterways system.
From page 10...
... Detailed public origin–destination data are scarce, and a full analysis of the corridors that make up the system is a study in itself and would exceed the study timeline and resources. The committee has instead provided an overview of commodity flows in major river corridors that will enable policy makers to become generally familiar with the system and understand the main issues pertaining to decisions about funding.
From page 11...
... The site visit was planned to aid the committee in understanding operations at the USACE district level and the procedures used in identifying priorities for spending at facilities in the navigation system. The site visit included travel to Emsworth on a tow of the Ingram Barge Company, which provided the committee with further information from the perspective of tow operators on the system.
From page 12...
... Chapter 5 presents a user-based approach to funding the system with user charges both to increase revenues for system maintenance and to promote economic efficiency by targeting limited navigation resources to parts of the system most valued for freight transportation. It describes the various user payment options and criteria for evaluating them.
From page 13...
... A glossary of terms used in the report appears after the Preface. Intended Audiences The primary audience for this report is policy makers at the federal level who are responsible for decisions about inland waterways system funding and who may have varying familiarity with the system and the issues and arguments related to its support.


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