At Press Time, the ides of March are soon upon us, but in the inland waterways industry, the near future has never looked more promising. While the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, led by Chairman Barbara Boxer, considers a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that would address new funding for the nation's lock and dam system, other positive developments are occurring. Another bill-S. 407, the Reinvesting in Vital Economic Rivers and Waterways (RIVER) Act of 2013-has been introduced by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and co-sponsors Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The new funding plan would establish a sustainable, cost-effective way to ensure that the inland and intra-coastal waterways of the United States remain economically viable. This bill would modernize America's inland waterways system, create jobs, relieve traffic congestion, and optimize American competitiveness through the most low-cost, energy-efficient transportation mode.
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