GICA | About Us | Resolutions

The resolutions below represent statements of position on priority items for the GICA, and commend the efforts of individuals who have contributed by extraordinary measure to the organization. They are updated each year, and approved by membership at the annual convention. This set of resolutions was adopted August 14, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Resolution I

The Association proudly dedicates its 104th Convention to the memory of Captain Gary Lee Strahl, of Shell Trading Company, a division of Shell Oil. Gary was an enthusiastic supporter of the inland waterways and valued partner to the industry. Gary brought the influence of Shell Oil to bear on many critical issues that impacted the inland barge industry. He was a dedicated ambassador for GICA and devout attendee of the Association’s Annual Conventions. Gary passed away unexpectedly on June 13, 2009 at the age of 51.

Resolution II

The Association is proud to bestow its Dale Miller Award for selfless actions of bravery and sacrifice on the inland waters, upon the crews of the Buffalo Marine Services vessel “San Rafael,” “San Carmen,” and “San Patricio,” of Houston, Texas. The crews of all three vessels put themselves in harm’s way and their acts of bravery clearly saved lives and potentially major property damage during the height of major Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008, when they secured the adrift deep draft vessel "Rickmers Seoul" in the upper Houston Ship Channel.

Resolution III

The Association applauds the continuing efforts of the Corps of Engineers in joining with Industry to catalog and prioritize Operations and Maintenance projects on the entire Inland Waterway system, and encourages the Corps to continue to refine and expand this process, with a special view toward NAVIGATION SYSTEMS, to better allocate available funds to those projects that return the greatest value to the nation and increase knowledge of the soundness of Civil Works planning and execution processes.

Resolution IV

The Association gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the Texas Department of Transportation in installing a system of interim fenderworks at the Galveston Railroad Bridge after completion of the navigation span portion of their new vehicular causeway. Their proactive efforts to support the uninterrupted flow of barge commerce at this critical structure have kept barge traffic moving safely during an uncertain time.

Resolution V

The Association supports efficient spending and contracting processes relative to the use of Inland Waterways Trust funds, for waterways projects, and opposes increases in the Inland Waterways User Tax until the process of managing and executing Inland Waterways Trust Fund-eligible projects is properly addressed.

Resolution VI

The Association gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the US Coast Guard Bridge Administration’s Office and the efforts of Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, along with Representatives Edwards, Paul, Poe, Lampson, and Culberson in securing remaining needed funding for completion of the replacement of the Galveston Railroad Bridge. The association also acknowledges with appreciation, the support of Galveston County Judge James Yarbrough in moving this project forward.

Resolution VII

The Association gratefully acknowledges the lifting of the injunction on the work to replace the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock, and further commends the Port of New Orleans, Waterways Council, and the Louisiana congressional delegation for their support in the continuing effort to secure full funding for the Lock. The Association further urges Congress to ensure funds are appropriated to make the necessary future repairs requested to insure reliable operation of the lock until its replacement is complete.

Resolution VIII

The Association notes with increasing concern the level of development along many reaches of the canal, especially facilities that put members of the general public in close proximity to the waterway with little or no protection in the event of an accident. The association recognizes the need for economic development and that many areas in proximity to the canal are desirable from the perspective of residential and recreational development and is not opposed to such development. However, the association calls on the Corps of Engineers, state and local agencies and land use planners to establish and enforce comprehensive plans and regulations to ensure that development in proximity with the canal is planned in such a manner as to safely co-exist with the commercial navigational purpose of the canal and to prohibit construction and other activities on the canal or its shorelines that will impair the use of the canal for commercial navigation, limit its capacity to efficiently move commerce or decrease the safety of the general public or commercial navigation. The Association commends the Texas Department of Transportation for commissioning a study to look further into this problem and recommend potential solutions.

Resolution IX

The Association affirms its support of the “Realizing America’s Maritime Promise” coalition (RAMP) and others who seek to apply Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund collections toward the dredging of our ports and harbors as originally intended.

Resolution X

The Association gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the Galveston District Corps of Engineers in reopening the mouth of the San Bernard River. During a recent flooding event, delays were nonexistent at the Brazos Floodgates due to this project’s completion.

Resolution XI

The Association affirms its support for the partnership that GICA continues to foster relative to Intracoastal Waterway Management Issues, including its lead role in partnering with the US Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers with regard to hurricane and other emergency response needs on the Gulf Coast.

Resolution XII

The Association affirms its support for the voluntary reporting of Aid to Navigation Knockdowns on all inland waterways by vessel operators. This act can be viewed as a statement of integrity from the barge industry by all who have knowledge of it, and it is in keeping with the industry’s partnership initiative with the Coast Guard.

Resolution XIII

The Association expresses its sincere appreciation to the following convention sponsors:

PLATINUM
      AEP River Operations
      American Commercial Lines LLC
      Canal Barge Company, Inc.
      Coastal Resort Properties, LP
      Dale's Welding & Fabricators, LLC
      Echo Marine, LTD
      Florida Marine Transporters, Inc.
      Garner Environmental Services
      Higman Marine Services, Inc.
      Houston Pilots Association
      Ingram Barge Co./Custom Fuel Services
      Kirby Corporation
      Michael Blaser Studio
      Southern Towing Company
      TEPPCO Marine Services, LLC

GOLD
      Buffalo Marine Service, Inc.
      Calhoun Port Authority
      CITGO Petroleum Corporation
      Devall Towing & Boat Services, Inc.
      Liskow & Lewis
      MnI Diesel Inc.
      Orion Marine Group/King Fisher Marine
      Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co.
      Port of Bay City Authority
      Port Corpus Christi
      Port of Victoria
      RLB Contracting, Inc.
      Trinity Marine Products, Inc.
      Wartsila Defense, Inc.

SILVER
      Blessey Marine Service, Inc.
      John W. Stone Oil Dist., Inc.
      PortVision

BRONZE
      Alabama State Port Authority
      C & J Marine Services, Inc.
      ShipTracks
      Westin New Orleans Canal Place
      W/S Calhoun County Navigation District/Port of West Calhoun County

And others as they are received prior to the Convention