Initiatives | Accomplishments

Annual Washington D.C. Trip

Prepared GICA’s congressional funding request package to Congress and presented it to several key congressional leaders during March 2006. We continue to maintain an effective relationship with all key members of congress relative to waterway projects. We also maintain a close working partnership with the recognized waterways-industry Washington representative group, Waterways Council.

Galveston Railroad Bridge Replacement/Interim Fendering

Set up Vicksburg interview and assisted with overflights for the Galveston Railroad Bridge CD production used in efforts to increase appropriations for the bridge replacement project. Worked with key members of congress to secure funding for the Galveston Railroad Bridge replacement. Efforts resulted in the largest appropriation to-date for a single fiscal year, in excess of $17 million.

GICA was successful in having Galveston County assume ownership of the bridge fenderworks, in order to insure protection for barges remains in place until the railroad bridge is replaced. It has been through GICA’s efforts that the issue of providing interim protection for barges moving through the existing railroad bridge was brought to light. The issue is currently being discussed among TxDOT, Galveston County, Coast Guard, GICA, and the railroad, regarding funding for interim protection in an effort to prevent establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) at the bridge, which would severely restrict barge traffic.

Annual GICA Convention

Completed the GICA 100th Annual Convention held in Victoria, Texas, birthplace of GICA. Thanks to the wonderful generosity of our members, this meeting was the most successful, both financially and in terms of attendance, of any previous GICA meeting.

First-ever GIWW Priorities Workshop for USACE

GICA, working with Waterways Council and the Corps of Engineers, coordinated the first-ever joint Corps/industry project priority review in April 2005.

Colorado Locks Flood, Implemented Industry Self-Help Plan

Again coordinated industry efforts at the Colorado Locks to minimize traffic delays during the worst traffic backup in the history of the waterway in November 2004.

Baptiste Collette Emergency Dredging Completed, FY 2006 Funding Secured

GICA initiated efforts to dredge the Baptiste Collette alternate route around the Inner Harbor Lock in New Orleans when we learned it was totally closed due to shoaling from Hurricane Ivan. Dredging was completed in July 2005. We followed up with a request for additional funding in the FY 2006 budget, which was very successful in both the House and Senate versions of the Energy and Water Development appropriation.

Inner Harbor Lock Funding

Lobbied for funding for Industrial Lock, which is still way behind our needs. GICA succeeded in getting additional funding in both the House and Senate Energy and Water Development appropriation.

Expedited Reopening of GIWW After Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, Emily, Katrina and Rita

Joined the Corps/Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers incident command in Mobile, Alabama after Hurricane Ivan, and assisted in expediting a prioritized opening of the waterway and deep draft channels. GICA participated as the only industry-invited member of the official incident command with Coast Guard Sector Mobile after Hurricane Dennis. Efforts again resulted in total reopening of the GIWW within 48 hours of storm passage.

This effort was repeated a number of times after Hurricane Ivan, with major work following Katrina at command centers in Mobile and Alexandria, and also following Rita in Houston. Consequently, as of spring 2006, this has become the standard for development of a Gulf Coast-wide joint hurricane protocol, developed in partnership with the Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, and NOAA. GICA continues to lead this effort.

Implemented Industry Vessel Traffic Coordination on Mississippi River

GICA coordinated the setup and operation of the River Crisis Action Plan and Traffic Coordination Center in Baton Rouge during the Mississippi River high water event in February 2005.

Implemented Industry Vessel Traffic Coordination at Calcasieu Lock

After Hurricane Rita, drainage of floodwaters from the marshes of south Louisiana resulted in a major backup of barge traffic at Calcasieu Lock. As part of a flood operations plan, the lock gates were left open to drain floodwaters, and tows were unable to pass. GICA set up the industry self-help plan and coordinated lock operations with the Corps of Engineers to expedite barge movements on the GIWW until flooding receded.

Worked Several Navigation Issues with Corps and Coast Guard

GICA represented industry views on several Corps of Engineers projects as well as Coast Guard navigational issues along the waterway. We continue to work with the Corps on the Corpus Christi realignment study. Mooring buoys are also a major issue being discussed all along the waterway. GICA was the exclusive voice that advocated the designation of the alternate Matagorda Bay GIWW route being set as the “official project channel,” through congressional action. This action could preserve transportation reliability through this most dangerous reach of the waterway during wintertime shoaling. At the same time, this action will save over one million dollars in operations and maintenance funds annually.

Simmesport Railroad Bridge, Coordinated Industry Input at Hearing

Coordinated barge industry input at a special hearing held by the Coast Guard Bridge Administration Office to consider naming Simmesport Railroad Bridge an official obstruction to navigation. The bridge was ultimately named an obstruction to navigation by the commandant of the Coast Guard.

Federally-appointed Member of HOGANSAC

GICA was appointed to serve a second term on the federally-chartered Houston Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC), representing the inland barge industry.

Leader on Houston Area Maritime Security Committee

GICA continues to serve on the Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC), representing the inland barge industry. GICA also chairs the Maritime Industry Stakeholders subcommittee of the AMSC. In the event of a serious security incident in the Coast Guard Houston Area of Responsibility, GICA will assume the Port Coordination Team liaison position, coordinating all information flow for industry stakeholders to and from the captain of the port.

Coastal Texas 2020 Steering Committee

GICA serves on the Coastal Texas 2020 Steering Committee of the Texas General Land Office. This is a recent initiative of the Texas General Land Office to address erosion of coastal lands and waterways.

Aid to Navigation Issues Coordinated with Eighth District Coast Guard

GICA works with the Coast Guard to improve several aid to navigation issues. Improved markings for the Bolivar Roads Inbound Alternate Route have made the route more user-friendly to tow pilots. Revised markings in San Antonio Bay have remained in place better, and served to help tow operators safely navigate this reach of the waterway. GICA continues to publish aid to navigation knockdown reporting statistics for the Captain of the Port, Houston area.

Texas Waterway Operators Navigation Chair

GICA serves as chair of the Texas Waterway Operators Navigation Committee.

Brazos River Floodgates

GICA continues to work with the Corps on a quick, non-study solution for problems at Brazos Floodgates.

Depth Sounders on Towboats

Achieved final resolution with the Coast Guard of the issue of whether or not inland towing vessels operating on the western rivers and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway are required to carry depth sounders (echo sounding devices). The final Coast Guard interpretation was that these vessels were indeed exempt from this requirement.

Lake Charles Oil Spill, July 2006

Served on the Coast Guard command staff at the Citgo Lake Charles oil spill command and assisted in restoring GIWW traffic after a brief 36-hour closure. Implemented the GICA vessel traffic coordination system at Devall East Fleet and worked with the Lake Charles Pilots, Citgo command, and U.S. Coast Guard for an additional seven-day period to restore the waterway and Calcasieu River to near normal operation.

Port Isabel Realignment Study

GICA continues to represent industry on the Port Isabel realignment study of the GIWW.

Waterway Real Estate Development Issues

We continue to work with the Corps and others to develop a planned approach to future development of adjacent lands alongside the waterway. Following GICA’s mission, we favor development that maintains a safe operating environment for both commercial vessels and recreational traffic, while preserving the original purpose of the waterway as a commercial artery. As more developments are proposed for waterway frontage, the development of a coordinated, planned approach is becoming more pressing.

Speaking and Leadership

GICA attended the World Water Forum in Mexico City at the request of Corps of Engineers’ Headquarters to speak on Intracoastal Waterway Gulf Coast Hurricane Response.

Attended the spring 2006 Chief of Operations Seminar in Springfield, Virginia, at the request of Corps of Engineers’ Headquarters. Topic was Gulf Coast Hurricane Response Partnership with Corps and Coast Guard.

Appeared as one of six industry leaders featured in cover story for “Marine News” magazine in 2005, titled “CEO Six Pack.”

GICA continues to serve as chair of the Gulf Coast Joint Hurricane Team, developing the Gulf Coast Inland Waterways Joint Hurricane Protocol, which will serve as guidance for a Gulf Coast-wide joint Corps, Coast Guard, NOAA and industry storm preparation and response.

GICA initiated an effort to bring about common understanding among Lower Mississippi River Barge Fleeters, Barge Line Operators, and the Coast Guard with respect to hurricane preparedness capabilities, and drafted a memorandum of understanding on this issue.