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 22, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Resolution I

The Association proudly dedicates its 103rd Convention to the memory of Robert Benjamin (Ben) Boren, Operations Project Manager for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District. Ben was a wonderful partner for GICA as he supervised all of the northern reaches of the GIWW. His dedication to his work, his team spirit and his friendship will be greatly missed. Ben was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 4, 2008.

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 crew of the Buffalo Marine Services vessel “San Rafael” of Houston, Texas. The crew of the San Rafael put themselves in harm’s way and their acts of bravery clearly saved lives and potentially major property damage during a fire aboard the inland towing vessel “Sarah K” on May 24, 2008.

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 continuing to maintain a system of interim fenderworks at the Galveston Railroad Bridge after completion of the navigation span portion of their new vehicular causeway. TxDOT has also committed to construct a more substantial interim fender system at this site intended to serve the barge industry until completion of the railroad bridge widening project. 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 this issue is properly addressed.

Resolution VI

The Association strongly encourages Congress to expedite funding the replacement of the Galveston Railroad Bridge, a candidate for Truman Hobbs Funding, so that it may be completed soon after the forecast 2008 completion of the Galveston Causeway Project. The efforts of Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, along with Representatives Edwards, Paul, Poe, Lampson, and Culberson in securing additional funding for FY 2009 are sincerely appreciated by the Association. The association also acknowledges with appreciation, the support of Galveston County Judge Yarbrough in moving this project forward.

Resolution VII

The Association 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 Industrial 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 move commerce or decrease the safety of the general public or commercial navigation.

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 supports expediting a solution to the extreme current flows at Brazos Floodgates, near Freeport, Texas. This problem continues to worsen and is presenting severe safety and economic concerns for the barge industry.

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 gratitude to the US Army Corps of Engineers, specifically Colonel Alvin Lee, of the New Orleans District, for commissioning the IHNC Contingency Planning Team and supporting its recommendations for pre-planning and communications necessary in the event of a major outage of the IHNC Lock. Communication of the navigation stakeholders’ choices for possible solutions to the alternate route issue is a critical part of the Team’s report, and we support its inclusion. Further, the Association strongly supports the documentation of this planning effort with a memorandum of understanding to insure implementation of the plan in the future.

Resolution XIV

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

PLATINUM
      AEP River Operations
      American Commercial Barge Lines
      Canal Barge Company, Inc.
      Coastal Resort Properties, LP
      Custom Fuel Services / Ingram Barge Co.
      Higman Marine Services, Inc.
      Houston Pilots Association
      Kirby Corporation
      Michael Blaser Studio
      Mni Diesel Inc.
      RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc.
      Southern Towing Company
      TEPPCO Marine Service, LLC

GOLD
      The ACTion Group Companies
      Breathwit Marine Shipyard
      Calhoun Port Authority
      CITGO Petroleum Corporation
      Dale’s Welding & Fabricators, LLC
      Devall Towing & Boat Services, Inc.
      Echo Marine, LTD
      Florida Marine Transporters, Inc.
      John W. Stone Oil Dist., Inc.
      LeBeouf Bros. Towing LLC
      Liskow & Lewis
      Martin Marine
      Midstream Fuel Services/Martin Midstream Partners
      NOAA/NOS
      Orion Marine Group
      Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co.
      Port of Bay City Authority
      Port of Corpus Christi
      Port of New Orleans
      Port of Victoria
      Shell USA
      ShipTracks, LLC
      Southern Company
      Trinity Marine Products, Inc.

SILVER
      Accumarine Transportation
      Blessey Marine Services, Inc.
      Bollinger Shipyards, Inc.
      Deloach Marine Services, LLC
      PortVision
      Rhodia, Inc.

BRONZE
      AccuTrans, Inc.
      Alabama State Port Authority
      John Bludworth Shipyard, LLC
      Megafleet Towing Co., Inc.
      Oil Mop, LLC
      Port Fourchon
      Rodgers Marine Towing Service LTD
      W/S Calhoun County Navigation District/Port of West Calhoun County
      Westin New Orleans Canal Place

And others as they are received prior to the Convention