Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW)

www.atlanticintracoastal.org

Why is the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

(AIWW) Important?SAFETY NATIONAL SECURITY ECONOMY

The AIWW Serves US Coast Guard

14 Military Bases

10 Ports

Barge traffic supporting intermodal transportation to deep draft ports

Military equipment and supply transportation barges and vessels

Commercial fishing vessels and charter fishing vessels

Cruise and tour boats

Recreational vessels

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessels

Department of Energy research vessels

US Army Corps of Engineers and industry dredging vessels

Products shipped include fuel oil, gasoline, asphalt, fertilizers, chemicals, wood chips, wood, limestone, sand, gravel, iron, steel, slag, lime, fabricated metal products, soybeans, vegetables, produce, electrical machinery.

US Army Corps of Engineers 2006 Waterborne Commerce Statistics Norfolk VA to Key West FL•Tonnage 3,078,000 •Ton Miles 213,815,000•Commercial Vessel Trips 49,362

There are 2.7 million registered boats in the region (NC, SC,GA,FL) – the second largest number in the country. (Source 2005 NMMA boater registration study)

The federal government doesn’t consider recreational boating when determining the value of the AIWW.

Federal law provides that the waterway be maintained at a minimum depth of 12 ft. for most of its length. This has been prevented by inadequate funding.

Shoaling is a problem along several sections of the waterway.Commercial operators on the AIWW pay fuel taxes to the Inland Waterway Trust; none of these monies benefit the AIWW.

Waterway Facts & Stats

Economic Benefits of Recreational Boating along the AIWW

Florida $18 Billion total economic output $6 Billion total personal wages 203,519 total job $38.4 Billion total property values

If Maintenance Dredging Ceased, Returning Waterway to a 3 foot Controlling Depth

$8.8 billion in economic output (53% Decrease) $3 billion in personal wages (52% Decrease) 696,040 jobs (52% Decrease) $10.8 billion in property values (28% Decrease)

(Source: Studies conducted by the Florida Inland Navigation District and The Marine Industries Association of Florida)

South Carolina 285 boating related businesses 1658 persons employed in boating businesses $304 million spent annually on craft-related

products and services $339 million spent on annual boating trips

(Source: NMMA 2008 Economic Study)

Georgia $249 million in sales 2,216 jobs $81 million in labor income $135 million value added

(Source: 2008 NMMA Economic Study)

North Carolina $257 million annually in sales 4,000 jobs $124 million in wages $35.6 million in federal taxes and fees $21.4 million in states taxes and fees

National Security and Safety

Movement of jet fuel to Cherry Point.

Use of the AIWW at Camp Lejeune.

Coast Guard access to open ocean.

Safe inland passage for thousands of boats that transit the AIWW on an annual basis.

The proper maintenance of the AIWW is vital to safety and national security.

Environmental Benefits

More goods moved by water results in less

congestion on the highways.

It is more cost effective to maintain one mile of waterway than it is to maintain one mile of interstate highway.

Mode Hydrocarbon Carbon Monoxide Nitrous Oxide

Tow Boat .09 .20 .53

Train .46 .64 1.83

Truck .63 1.09 10.17

Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Emissions Control Lab

State Funds Provided Annually Over the Past 5 Years

VA NC SC GA FL Total0

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

30,000,000

35,000,000

40,000,000

45,000,000

20062007200820092010Annual Need

2011 Proposed Funding Compared to 2010 Appropriated and Annual Need

What Can Be Done?

Advocate to Congress an increase in funding for AIWW maintenance.

Educate local and state governments about the AIWW and its future.

Suggest a waterfront tax to state governments. Example: Success of F.I.N.D. in Florida.