Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW)

1. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) www.atlanticintracoastal.org

2. Why is the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) Important? SAFETY NATIONAL SECURITY ECONOMY The AIWW Serves • US Coast Guard • 14 Military Bases • 10 Ports • Barge traffic supporting intermodal transportation to deep draft ports • Military equipment and supply transportation barges and vessels • Commercial fishing vessels and charter fishing vessels • Cruise and tour boats • Recreational vessels • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessels • Department of Energy research vessels • US Army Corps of Engineers and industry dredging vessels

3. Waterway Facts & Stats • Federal law provides that the waterway be maintained at a minimum depth of 12 ft. for most of its length. This has been prevented by inadequate funding. • Shoaling is a problem along several sections of the waterway. • Commercial operators on the AIWW pay fuel taxes to the Inland Waterway Trust; none of these monies benefit the AIWW. • Products shipped include fuel oil, gasoline, asphalt, fertilizers, chemicals, wood chips, wood, limestone, sand, gravel, iron, steel, slag, lime, fabricated metal products, soybeans, vegetables, produce, electrical machinery. • US Army Corps of Engineers 2006 Waterborne Commerce Statistics • Norfolk VA to Key West FL • Tonnage 3,078,000 • Ton Miles 213,815,000 • Commercial Vessel Trips 49,362 • There are 2.7 million registered boats in the region (NC, SC,GA,FL) – the second largest number in the country. • (Source 2005 NMMA boater registration study) • The federal government doesn’t consider recreational boating when determining the value of the AIWW.

4. Economic Benefits of Recreational Boating along the AIWW Florida • $18 Billion total economic output • $6 Billion total personal wages • 203,519 total job • $38.4 Billion total property values If Maintenance Dredging Ceased, Returning Waterway to a 3 foot Controlling Depth • $8.8 billion in economic output (53% Decrease) • $3 billion in personal wages (52% Decrease) • 696,040 jobs (52% Decrease) • $10.8 billion in property values (28% Decrease) (Source: Studies conducted by the Florida Inland Navigation District and The Marine Industries Association of Florida)

5. South Carolina 285 boating related businesses 1658 persons employed in boating businesses $304 million spent annually on craft-related products and services $339 million spent on annual boating trips (Source: NMMA 2008 Economic Study) Georgia $249 million in sales 2,216 jobs $81 million in labor income $135 million value added (Source: 2008 NMMA Economic Study) North Carolina $257 million annually in sales 4,000 jobs $124 million in wages $35.6 million in federal taxes and fees $21.4 million in states taxes and fees

6. National Security and Safety • Movement of jet fuel to Cherry Point. • Use of the AIWW at Camp Lejeune. • Coast Guard access to open ocean. • Safe inland passage for thousands of boats that transit the AIWW on an annual basis. The proper maintenance of the AIWW is vital to safety and national security.

7. Environmental Benefits More goods moved by water results in less congestion on the highways. It is more cost effective to maintain one mile of waterway than it is to maintain one mile of interstate highway.

8. Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Emissions Control Lab

9. State Funds Provided Annually Over the Past 5 Years

10. 2011 Proposed Funding Compared to 2010 Appropriated and Annual Need

11. What Can Be Done? • Advocate to Congress an increase in funding for AIWW maintenance. • Educate local and state governments about the AIWW and its future. • Suggest a waterfront tax to state governments. Example: Success of F.I.N.D. in Florida.