LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
I
n the United States, transportation infrastructure is the
bedrock of our supply chains. Ports and waterways in
the United States moved over 2.3 billion tons of goods
in 2014. A robust maritime infrastructure to support such
ports and waterways helps goods to move freely and aid
in more fl ow of trade and ultimately greater economic
stimulus. Port authorities and waterways commissions are
always seeking better ways to increase cargo volume and
subsequently aid their surrounding states and regions -
which all benefi t the overall commerce of our nation.
In response to this omnipresent demand, The Water
Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN),
comprehensive legislation that includes the Water Resources
Development Act of 2016 (WRDA 2016) has made its way
through Congress and attends to the need for strong and ca-
pable waterways – from channel depths to widths and other
needed parameters to accommodate more cargo volume.Recently enacted by the 114th Congress and signed by
President Obama, it authorizes the Army Corps of Engi-
neers to improve navigation and fl ood management, con-
struct projects to mitigate storm damage and assist local
and state governments as well as many other provisions
outlined in the text of the legislation.Strengthening Supply Chains
Strengthening and enhancing supply chains is an ex-
pected benefi t from WRDA. “Clearly, freight transporta-
tion is a major component of supply chain processes and
therefore a primary focus of supply chain management,”
explains Dr. Bruce G. Ferrin, Associate Professor, Haworth
College of Business, Western Michigan University, Kalam-
azoo, Michigan.
“Supply chain designs and strategies follow transporta-
tion processes and costs as government funding improvesThe Water Resources The Water Resources
Development Act of 2016:Development Act of 2016:
Reclaiming Our Transportation Infrastructure
By Jim Romeohttp://www.marinelink.com MN^41