“Environmental issues have a big effect on project design,” Hanson said. Regulations governing many dredging projects also drive investment in the dredge fleet, Hanson said. “But don’t forget the role of the appropriators in this discussion. The Corps has received record budgets each of the last four years, so Congress clearly understands how important the Corps is and, in addition, has funded the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund way beyond the target levels (going from 50 percent to 95 percent in the last few years).” “We think WRDA on a two-year is a key reason for the improvement in our marketplace,” Hanson said. Hanson said the dredging industry in general is benefiting from a recent boost in funding, thanks to a commitment from Congress to regularly authorize waterway projects through biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bills and support with record annual appropriations. “The fleet is dramatically more sophisticated and powerful than it was 10, 20 or 50 years ago.” dredge fleet is growing as a result of investments in ports, waterways and coastal protection projects at federal, state and local levels,” said Bill Hanson, vice president of government relations, for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. Army Corps of Engineers both have their hands full with maritime infrastructure needs.Īnd from the perspective of the dredging industry, commitment to channel deepening, restoration and maintenance has had positive impacts for the strength of the overall dredge fleet. With persistent high water and shoaling on many of the nation’s rivers, ongoing recovery from recent hurricanes and efforts to deepen seaports on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, Congress and the U.S.
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