House Passes E&W Appropriations Bill:
On March 6, 2024, the House, with the Senate expected to follow, passed a $435 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations package of six bills that included Energy & Water Development (E&WD), funding the Army Corps of Engineers through September 30, 2024.
Passage of the FY24 E&WD appropriations bill was the top priority for WCI and the TRVA/TCWC this year and avoids a catastrophic setback to the inland waterways’ construction program that would have occurred if Congress enacted a full-year Continuing Resolution (CR). Under a full-year CR, the most funding that inland waterways construction projects could receive is $59.3 million, nearly $400 million below what is included in this bill.
The Corps of Engineers will receive $8.68 billion, an increase of $1.27 billion from the FY24 President’s budget request.
For the FY24 Construction account, $1.85 billion was appropriated, a decrease of $170 million from the FY24 President’s budget request.
Inland Waterways construction projects received a record amount of funding at $456 million, with at least $120 million coming from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which supposedly will fund three of the six active construction projects to completion. The following projects were funded:
• Chickamauga Lock - $236.8 million (supposedly funded to completion) -Requested by Cong. Fleischmann (TN-03)
• Three Rivers - $103.17 million (supposedly funded to completion) - Requested by Cong. Crawford (AR-01)
• Lower Mon - $41 million (supposedly funded to completion)- Requested by Cong. Reschenthaler (PA-14), Sens. Capito (WV), and Casey (PA)
• Navigation & Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) - $120 million that will be divided between navigation and ecosystem restoration. The Corps will provide the total amounts and specifics within 60 days when the FY24 workplan is released. -Requested by Cong. S. Graves (MO-06), LaHood (IL-16), Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Sorensen (IL-17), and Budzinski (IL-13), Sens. Baldwin (WI), Duckworth (IL), Durbin (IL), Klobuchar (MN), and Smith (MN)
The Investigations account received $132 million, up $1.75 million from the FY24 President's budget request. Specifically, these projects were funded:
• Bayou Sorrel Lock (LA) will receive $800,000 - Requested by Cong. G. Graves (LA-06)
• Bennett Johnston Waterway (LA) will receive $500,000 (to examine the feasibility of deepening the waterway to 12 feet) - Requested by Sen. Cassidy (LA)
Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) - $367 million, which represents a $140 million increase from the President’s FY24 budget request. Some inland waterways projects funded are:
• Channel Improvement funding of $57.9 million was provided for Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee
• Helena Harbor - $580,000
• Baton Rouge Harbor, Devils Swamp - $564,000
• Greenville Harbor - $1.23 million (includes a $300,000 increase above the budget request of $934,000 as requested by Senator Hyde-Smith (MS))
• Vicksburg Harbor - $1.24 million (includes a $300,000 increase above the budget request of $944,000 as requested by Senator Hyde-Smith (MS))
• Memphis Harbor - $2.43 million (same as the President's FY24 request)
The Operations and Maintenance account was allocated $5.55 billion, a $1.24 billion increase from the President’s FY24 request.
The President is expected to sign the funding package into law. Six other appropriations bills, Defense among them, are set to expire on March 22.
The Tennessee River Valley Association and its Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council held their 57th TRVA Annual Meeting on October 9-10, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee. Guest Speakers discussed the economic importance of the Twin River navigation system and its benefits to the region, and to our nation. With the presenter’s permission, these are the slides that were presented:
TRVA-TCWC 57th Annual Meeting
Embassy Suites at Cool Springs
Franklin, Tennessee
October 10, 2023
Agenda
Azalia & Iris Meeting Rooms
7:30 AM Continental Breakfast in Foyer
8:15 AM Board of Directors Meeting
9:00 AM Welcome and Introductions
9:15 AM Membership/Business Meeting
9:30 AM Captain Joseph Cotton, USACE Nashville District
9:50 AM Robert Winters, KY Lock USACE
10:10 AM Megan Simpson, Maintenance Section, USACE
10:30 AM LTJG Samuel Haley, USCG MSD Nashville
10:50 AM Refreshment Break in Foyer
11:20 AM Nicole Berger, Navigation, TVA
11:40 AM Dustin Davidson, Waterways Council, Inc
12:10 PM Leah Dundon, Vanderbilt University
12:40 PM Chad Dorsey, MARAD (invited)
12:50 PM Lindy Barrones, TNECD (invited)
Buffet Luncheon in Hotel Atrium
Adjourn
August 16, 2023
Wilson Timeline Update Call August 16, 2023 Take-Aways
· Led by Nikki Berger, TVA Navigation Manager
· TVA Project Approval Board has been asked for an off-cycle review, agreed and will be held the week of August 21
· Interim guide wall (ocean spud barges) contractor has been selected
· Contractor cannot begin without purchase order, the contract will be forced to get in line for production (unofficially in line now, December 2023 best start date possible)
· It will be months before construction will begin
· Two projects are currently in line ahead of Wilson barges
· Contractor is now experiencing supply chain/workforce issues
· Project completion date now Fall 2025 (not Fall of 2024)
· Imperative that contract (purchase order) in place ASAP to ensure place in queue
· Barges will be delivered as completed, onsite one at a time in 2 to 6 month intervals
· Design criteria requires all three in place before functional
· TVA helper boat will continue to assist locking until fully functional interim guide wall is in place
August 1, 2023
Wilson Guide Wall status call Key Take-Aways
· Nikki Berger, TVA Navigation Manager led call to discuss path forward
· Discussed interim solution for upstream guide wall
· Goal is to restore normal operations ASAP
· TVA provided funding in February 2023 to research options
· 2 options were explored
· Option 1 proposed use of 36 interconnected Poseidon barges attached to the dam and the dead man, 527 feet in length
· Option 2 (preferred and selected) proposed use of 3 connected ocean spud barges. 58’W x 195’L x 12’H each totaling 585’ in length. Not connected to dam or dead man. 12 spuds available for ensuring stability.
· Ocean barge option will not require removal of sunken wall
· Design to reflect original wall design criteria to accommodate stresses and loads
· Timeline will include proposal to TVA Project Approval Board in September 2023
· Purchase order could be issued as early as September-October 2023
· Barge fabrication estimated completion in October 2024
· Interim temporary guide wall in place in Fall 2024
· Fully functional interim wall will not require any restrictions to navigation
· TVA will continue to provide helper boat until interim guide wall is fully operational
June 17, 2023
New Military and Civilian Leadership in the Nashville District
On June 16, 2023 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District held a Change of Command Ceremony at the Tennessee National Guard Armory in Nashville Tennessee. The Ceremony was led by Brigadier General Kimberly A. Peoples Commanding General and Division Engineer of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division. BG Peoples passed the Division’s command flag from outgoing Leiutenant Colonel Joseph M. Saul to incoming Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Green.
In addition to a new District Engineer attendees also welcomed a new Deputy District Engineer, Lindsey Harbour recently replaced Stephanie Hall who was promoted to Division HQ in Cincinnati, Ohio. LTC Green and Ms. Harbour’s bios are below for your reference:
Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Green assumed command of the Nashville District on June 16, 2023. As Commander and District Engineer, Lt. Col. Green manages the water resources development and navigable waterways operations for the Cumberland and Tennessee River basins covering 59,000 square miles, with 42 field offices touching seven states and a work force of over 700 employees. Before assuming command of the Nashville District, Lt. Col. Green served as the Deputy Commander of the Memphis District from June 2021 to June 2023.
Lt. Col. Green was commissioned in 2005 as a Second Lieutenant in the Engineer Branch through the ROTC program at Michigan State University. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Engineering Sciences from Michigan State University, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Washington, and a Master of Science degree in Construction Management from Michigan State University. He holds his Professional Engineering License in the state of Michigan and is certified as an Associate Constructor from the American Institute of Constructors. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, the Aviation Captains Career Course, and the Command and General Staff College.
Lt. Col. Green’s previous assignments include Platoon Leader for the Maintenance Platoon and Special Equipment Platoon; Construction Plans Officer, and Battalion Logistics Officer in the 864th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Task Force Engineer and Company Commander in 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas; Commander of the 34th Forward Engineering Support Team – Advance out of the Seattle USACE District; Division Engineer and Engineer Operations Officer for the 4th Infantry Division HQ at Fort Carson, Colorado. He served as the Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 4th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado. LTC Green has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation New Dawn (Iraq), Operation Spartan Shield (Kuwait), Operation Freedom Sentinel (Afghanistan), and Operation Resolute Support (Afghanistan).
Lt. Col. Green’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Service Medal, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal.
Lt. Col. Green is married to Mrs. Krystal Green of Waterford, Michigan and they have three children: Jacob, Taylor, and Autumn.
Ms. Lindsay Harbour currently serves as the Deputy District Engineer (DDE) for the Nashville District. She has responsibility for directing water resource activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers throughout the Cumberland River Basin, and navigation and regulatory matters in the Tennessee River Basin, an area of more than 59,000 square miles. The Nashville District has 49 field offices touching seven states and a work force of over 750 federal employees. In this position, Ms. Harbour is responsible for the District business management and program delivery; ensuring assigned local, regional, and national programs are executed within budget, on schedule, and safely. Lindsay also provides District leadership by establishing and maintaining processes to manage the scope, quality, budget, and schedules of all District projects. She manages and directs all programmatic activities, including program and budget development, preparation for Congressional testimony, oversight of program execution and reprogramming actions. Further, she is responsible for all civil works planning functions for the District, including plan formulation, economics and environmental resources.
Ms. Harbour is an energetic and dedicated professional who has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more than 15 years, serving most of her time with the Norfolk District in various capacities as a program analyst, project scheduler, budget analyst, and then accepting the role as the District’s Budget Officer within the Resource Management Office. After gaining valuable experience in Norfolk, she accepted the position of Budget Officer for Europe District where she began her supervisor journey. From there she was able to become the Deputy Resource Manager for the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD) where she managed seven district budgets into the regional budget. During this time, she also served on a 120-day assignment with the Transatlantic Division as a Chief of Resource Management.
Ms. Harbour’s permanent job is the Chief of Resource Management for LRD. This position allows her to serve as a key enterprise-wide RM leader, working in support of the Division Commander and SES Leaders to influence and develop financial, budgetary, management analysis and staffing processes that result in financially sound, productive, and reliable tools that allow for efficient and effective use of resources to execute the USACE mission. She is a proponent for expanding communities of practice, streamlining, and automating processes, utilizing innovative systems and dashboards, and increasing communication. She is excited to bring these skills to the DDE position as she supports the Nashville District, the division, and the enterprise.
Ms. Harbour graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. She holds a Department of Defense Financial Management Level 3 Certification and is a USACE PROSPECT Course instructor specializing in Budget Training. She is a member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers.
Ms. Harbour is married to Robert Harbour for eleven years with two daughters (Penelope and Mackenzie). In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, baking, and supporting her daughters’ athletics.
The TRVA/TCWC welcomed the new leadership team in the Nashville District and expressed our desire to continue to work together in the same positive and productive manner to maintain and improve our water resources infrastructure as we have for more than five decades. TRVA/TCWC thanked LTC Sahl and his family for their service to the Twin Rivers region for the past two years, and wished him well in his next assignment at the Army War College. We also thanked Ms. Hall for her service and offered congratulations on her promotion to Division HQ.
May 15, 2023
Notable warming of the waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific has further increased the likelihood that El Niño will begin by late spring or early summer, meaning that the Tennessee-Cumberland region should expect ccoler and drier weather this winter.
The odds of El Niño being in place for next winter are now up to 93%. El Niño is the warm phase of the climate pattern known as ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation). For the last three winters we’ve been in the cool phase of ENSO known as La Niña. As the waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean got closer to normal we entered an ENSO Neutral phase in March. Now the waters continue to warm to above normal, giving forecasters greater confidence that we’re heading for a prolonged El Niño pattern.
Exactly when El Niño begins will be based on a combination of when the sea-surface temperature anomalies in a specific region of the eastern Pacific Ocean (known as the Niño 3.4 region) reach +0.5ºC and when the atmosphere starts to react like it’s in an El Niño phase.
Computer models predict that will happen between now and July.
The latest forecast from the Climate Prediction Center favors ENSO Neutral (62% chance) in the April-June period with high odds (82%) of El Niño beginning during May-July. The Climate Prediction Center makes its forecast in three-month increments. From then on, El Niño is the dominant ENSO phase through next winter (December 2023-February 2024).
Peeling back the curtain a little bit, we aren’t just concerned about what phase of ENSO we are in, but the strength too. You can have weak, moderate or strong El Niño phases. Typically stronger El Niños bring more impactful weather to parts of the United States, especially for California and the southwest, compared to weaker El Niño phases.
The strength is determined by how much above average the water temperatures are in the Niño 3.4 region.
Water temperatures 0.5ºC above normal = Weak El Niño
Water temperatures 1.0ºC above normal = Moderate El Niño
Water temperatures 1.5ºC above normal = Strong El Niño
Currently, the odds of a moderate El Niño in winter are at 77% with the odds of a strong El Niño at 48% – high odds for something several months away.
The Climate Prediction Center even warned that “a potentially significant El Niño is on the horizon,” after looking at the latest data. Assuming we’re in some form of El Niño next winter, that typically means a warmer Pacific Northwest, wetter in the south, southwest and coastal southeast with drier weather in the interior southeast. Cooler weather is also more likely for the south and southeast.
The next analysis of ENSO from the Climate Prediction Center will be released June 8.
April 14, 2023
IWUB #99 Take-Aways
TRVA virtually monitored the 99th meeting of the Inland Waterways Users Board (IWUB) on Thursday April 13, 2023. The importance of the Kentucky Lock Addition and the Chickamauga Lock Replacement projects on the Tennessee River, funded by the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF), merited the monitoring of the important event. Below are a few key takeaways important to our region, from the meeting.
· Army Corps presenters repeated a theme of transparency.
· When discussing cost overruns and delays in project delivery, a USACE presenter described an “optimism bias” within the Corps’ forecasting that has impacted projects.
· There is an uncertainty of the balance of the IWTF, as much as tens of millions of dollars that Is impacting IWUB planning for expenditures.
· IWTF revenues are lagging behind collections from previous years even in a strong economy and users reporting increased payments resulting in an “apparent disconnect.”
· USACE pointed to confusing IRS/Treasury collection and reporting processes that USACE has been “unable to crack that nut” for clarity.
· IWUB member Marty Hettel inquired if totaling annual receipts (amounts collected from users) balanced against expenditures would not provide clarity.
· Concern was expressed about the Administration’s zero funding for inland waterways construction in the FY24 Budget Proposal.
· Should there be no budget agreement and a Continuing Resolution through FY24 the “least of rule” would apply meaning the Administration’s zero funding would be executed. IWTF taxes would continue to be collected and not spent on aging systems and projects impacting costs and delivery schedules.
· Reference was made to previous discussion of systems seeking to deepen channels to 12 feet (i.e. the TTW & BWT) though no thorough plans forward were fleshed out.
· There was in-depth discussion of remote lock operations where locks that may only see 5-6 lockages per day could be operated remotely by operators in centralized locations and manage multiple lock sites, thereby, shifting O&M dollars from ops to maintenance. IWUB members expressed concerns for line assistance, mariner safety, and lack of situational awareness. USACE indicated that locks would continue to be staffed by maintenance personnel.
· USACE outlined plans to construct a 1200’ lock at L&D 25 on the MS at a cost of $732M in 8 ½ years using no cofferdam (build in the wet). An IWUB member skeptically called on LTC Sahl of the Nashville District to quote costs and timeline for the 1200’ lock under construction at KY.
· Kentucky Lock Addition will now need an additional $332M in FY25 to complete the project in 2029-30. $1.56B now. More dollars would not speed up delivery. Contractor is to ramp up labor from 100-300 in next 90 days in the pit to accommodate current contract. IIJA funding provided $465M to complete but USACE now needs the additional $332 based on updated projections.
· Chickamauga Lock Replacement will now require an additional $237M (up from $40M in FY23 budget proposal) and an additional 2.5 years to complete construction in 2026-28. Total project cost is now $954M. A total of $406M has been expended through Feb 2023 making it 43% complete. The contractor is 2 years behind schedule due to COVID19 and other unforeseen complications. USACE and contractor are working through Alternate Dispute Resolution process related to contractor losses. Defense Contracting Audit Agency audit is on-going.
March 10, 2023
TRVA/TCWC Washington DC 2023 Take-Aways
March 6-8, 2023, Talking Points:
Full Utilization of Inland Waterways Trust Fund
· Fully fund Kentucky Lock Addition through completion from annual IWTF Appropriations
· Fully fund Chickamauga Lock Replacement through completion in FY2024 Budget if the Nashville District delivers an updated cost estimate and timetable as expected
Ensure Robust Nashville District Operations & Maintenance Budget
Identify funding source for Wilson Lock Floating Guide Wall Repair/Replacement
Encourage Congress to intervene to resolve Nashville District Lock Wall Ladder Safety Issue impacting Mariner Safety
Scheduled and attended 20+ appointments with:
· Waterways Council, Inc.
· Tennessee Valley Authority Federal Affairs
· Staffs of 5 Members of U.S. Senate, 1 in person with a Senate Member w/WCI
· Staffs of 12 Members of U.S. House of Representatives, 2 in person with House Members
· In person meeting with the Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, a Senior Professional Staff Member of the House Appropriations Committee, and WCI
· Attended National Waterways Conference Legislative Summit Congressional Reception where senior members of Van Scoyok Associates and Dawson & Associates teams were consulted on the Wilson Guide Wall conflict of authority with TVA and the Army Corps
· Participated in a Coalition of Alabama Waterway Associations (CAWA) private dinner with the Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education
· Was joined by Waterways Council’s Director of Government Relations for multiple Hill appointments
President Biden’s FY2024 Budget Proposal was released after meetings concluded with zero dollars in IWTF funding, per Army Corps submitted capabilities.
The Administration’s FY2024 proposal does include robust funding for Operations and Maintenance of our nation’s waterway infrastructure to ensure benefits into the future.
After much conversation and consideration, possible options for Wilson Lock Guide Wall Replacement included the possibility of revisiting the Hurricane Ida Supplemental Appropriation or including in another or future emergency Supplemental Appropriations. U.S. Senator Tuberville agreed to personally reach out to TVA CEO to insist on an immediate resolution.
With the Nashville District scheduled to visit with DC offices soon, we requested staffs engage LTC Sahl and his team on Wilson Guide Wall and District Lock Wall Ladder Safety issues to identify and immediately implement permanent solutions.
We have since been submitting related Appropriation Requests to offices that will seek Community Funding “earmarks” for consideration and inclusion in Congress’ response to the Administration’s Budget Proposal. Most are due before March 16 for Member submittal by the end of March.
We will be following up with offices and individuals as developments arise.
Cline Jones (TRVA), Chairman Chuck Fleischmann of U.S. House Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, and Dustin Davidson (WCI)