CONTACT: Paul Ordal, ASBPA
Government Affairs
(202) 775-1796 (office) or (202) 316-2003 (cell)
-Coalition Focuses Efforts on Water and Environmental Infrastructure-
Today, a coalition of water and environmental infrastructure groups gathered on Capitol Hill to launch a united effort to reverse the trend of neglect that is threatening America’s economy and ecology.
The level of federal support of the nation’s water resources infrastructure has dwindled. From waterways to ports, to beaches, to wetlands and estuaries, to water quality and the health of the oceans, the priority given to dealing with the needs of our water resources is too low. The consequences of this neglect are already evident across the country.
In order to move out of this negative cycle, the coalition will activate its diverse set of supporters and focus on a common goal –investment in our Nation’s infrastructure.
“Rather than continuing to fight these battles alone as “beach supporters” or “waterway interests,” coalitions must be established between all those who are impacted by the deteriorating state of our nation’s infrastructure. I am proud to work together with other stakeholders on this worthy cause,” said Harry Simmons, President of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
“Sadly, I think the average American is clueless when it comes to understanding the impact of the interconnectiveness of water resources on their daily lives. We just can't afford to be penny-wise and pound-foolish with our nation's infrastructure,” said Worth Hager of the National Waterways Conference.
Some members of the coalition underscored the negative economic impacts if the pattern of neglect continues.
Casey Dinges of the American Society of Civil Engineers said, "The nation's crucial infrastructure is a vast network of interconnected and interdependent systems upon which the US economy, and the quality of life for many Americans, rests. For example, a single barge traveling the nation's waterways can move the same amount of cargo as 58 semi-trucks at one-tenth the cost."
“Each year that new dredging projects are delayed and existing projects go unfinished, it puts our nation at a competitive disadvantage to export its products overseas and causes the cost of waterborne imports to go up,” said Kurt Nagle, President, American Association of Port Authorities.
Citing the long-term need to invest in capital improvements, Ken Kirk, Executive Director, Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, said, "With a water infrastructure funding gap exceeding $300 billion over the next 20 years, it is untenable for the federal government to cut support for clean water in America."
The coalition members pledged to work with other stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels, along with Congress and the Administration, to craft sustainable solutions to the water resource needs of the 21st Century.