A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO APPROPRIATE ADEQUATE FUNDS TO THE United states ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF NORTH CAROLINA'S SHALLOW DRAFT NAVIGATION CHANNELS.
Whereas, the United States Congress has authorized a network of shallow draft navigation channels in North Carolina after evaluation of their economic benefits, including the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, connections from the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway through coastal inlets to the ocean, and channels in the sounds; and
Whereas, it is the responsibility of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to maintain these shallow draft navigation channels in conditions suitable for safe navigation by periodically dredging out accumulated sediments from the channels; and
Whereas, there are certain nonfederal responsibilities involved in shallow draft navigation channel maintenance, particularly providing spoil disposal areas for dredged material, which responsibilities have been reliably carried out by North Carolina State government and by local governments; and
Whereas, President George W. Bush's budget for fiscal year 2005 eliminated maintenance funds for the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the shallow draft navigation channels, and the recently presented budget for fiscal year 2006 also eliminated these projects; and
Whereas, North Carolina's shallow draft navigation channels are critically important for industrial barge traffic, ferries, commercial fishermen, and recreational boaters; and
Whereas, the use of North Carolina's shallow draft navigation channels for boating and recreation is a critical element in North Carolina's coastal recreation and tourism industry, which is a key element of the economy in the coastal region of North Carolina; and
Whereas, when channels become impassable due to lack of maintenance, there will be an immediate loss of jobs and income as commercial fishermen, charter boats, and barges are not able to use these vital transportation waterways in their businesses; and
Whereas, North Carolina's shallow draft navigation channels are essential for safety in that they provide a way to reach harbors of refuge during sudden storms and also allow passage by the United States Coast Guard on search and rescue missions; and
Whereas, the United States Army Corps of Engineers uses certain specialized equipment, such as sidecast dredges and split hull hopper dredges, to maintain the shallow draft channels that is not available to the private sector; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives urges Congress to appropriate adequate funds to the United States Army Corps of Engineers to maintain North Carolina's shallow draft navigation channels in usable and safe conditions.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to each member of North Carolina's congressional delegation.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.