00662835

Component

https://onlinepubs.trb.or...trcircular/427/427-004.pdf

This paper focuses attention on a national crisis--the dredging of U.S. navigable waters. The particular problems of dredging the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) and, on a broader scale, the problems involved in the lengthy approval process for such projects are discussed. The HSC project began in 1967 when the Port of Houston Authority requested that Congress authorize improvements to the ship channel. Delays due primarily to environmental concerns have caused the project to span the leadership of 5 port directors. The project for widening and deepening the HSC is now set to meet the 1996 window for authorization by Congress. To say that the approval process is lengthy is a vast understatement. An examination of the numerous delays in accomplishing the needed improvement of the HSC leads to the conclusion that something must be done to streamline the process. Another project, the maintenance dredging of the Bayport Ship Channel, is examined. The lengthy delays in accomplishing this project have been extremely costly to its customers. The problem of dredged material disposal again caused undue delay. A local cooperative agreement (LCA) was finally executed in 1993. The paper concludes that the public port industry needs the help and understanding of Congress and entities such as the Transportation Research Board to establish a National Dredging Policy, which would aid U.S. public ports in keeping our federal waters open to navigation and competing in the world market.

Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

00662831

English

p. 17-21

1994-6

Transportation Research Circular

Digital/other

Channels (Waterways); Delays; Dredged materials; Dredging; Environmental impacts; Maintenance; Policy; Traffic delays; Waste disposal

Houston Ship Channel; Port of Houston Authority

Disposal

Houston (Texas)

Houston (Texas)

Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation; Policy

TRIS, TRB

Jul 13 1994 12:00AM

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• ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROCESS: DOES IT WORK? DREDGING U.S. PORTS. CONGRESSIONAL OPTIONS
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