upper mississippi river system inland waterway stakeholder … · 2019-12-16 · upper mississippi...

UpperMississippiRiverSystemInlandWaterway

StakeholderSurvey2015

UpperMississippiRiverSystemPorts,Terminals,andOperatorsWorkshopAcooperativeeffortbetweentheInlandRivers,Port,&TerminalsAssociation,theUpperMississippiRiverBasinAssociation,andtheMid-AmericaFreightCoalition.

Preparedby:

ErniePerry,PhDProgramAdministrator,MAFC

ebperry@wisc.edu

AaronJermierProjectAssistant

ajermier@wisc.edu

ThissurveywasdistributedtostakeholdersviaemailfromJanuary20thtoFebruary13thandcompletedby50people.Noquestionsweremandatorytoanswerduetotheiropenendednatureandtoencouragemaximumfeedback.Thisresultedinaquestionresponseraterangingfrom15-50peopleperquestion.Thefollowingisasummarizedcompilationofsurveyresponses.

1. [Forports,terminals,andlocalgovernments]Whatcommodity(ies)/freightinyoursurroundingareaprovidesthegreatestdemandforshippingviatheUpperMississippi?

• Industrialsand• Bakkenandtarsandoilproducts• Corn• Cement• Coal• Fertilizer• Grain• Soybeans,SoybeanMeal,Soybean

hulls• Aggregate

• Scrapmetal• Salt• Soybean• Distiller’sdriedgrains(DDGs)• Clay• Glass• Steelproducts• PetroleumandPetro-Chemicals• Foodgradeoils

2. Whatcommodities/freightarenotcurrentlyshippedontheUpperMississippi?

• IndustrialSand• Oil/petroleumproducts

⇒ Bakken/NorthDakota• Containers• Automobiles• Retailgoods• Semi-finishedparts• Parcelfreight• Roll-on/Roll-offcargoes

• Wastematerials• Heavylift/oversize• Identitypreservedcrops• Ethanol• Lumber/woodproducts• Machinery• Fabricatedmetal• Ironore• Highvalueassembleditems

Whatadditionalinfrastructureordevelopmentisneededtosupportthoselistedin2?

• LoadoutfacilitiesbetweenDubuqueandPrescott

• IncreasesizeofLockandDamsystem

• Publicdocksforlargerpassengervessels

• Terminalequipmentforcontainers• Inlandwaterwayintegratedcross-

dock• ROROequipment• Terminalsecuritysystems

• DevelopportatoldSavannaArmyDepot

• Roadaccess/improvements• Railaccess/improvements• Heavyliftequipment• Intermodaltransferfacilities

• Bulkliquidtransloadequipment(railtobarge)

• Improvedlogisticssystem• Loadoutstructurewithfugitivedust

collectionsystems• Improved/Additionalterminals

• Improved/Additionalfleetingareas• Reinvestmentandattractionofruralindustriesthatutilizebulkfreightmaterials

3. Markettrendsorotherchanges(commodities,policy,infrastructure)couldoccuroverthenextfive

totenyearsandhowthattrend/changewillpositivelyornegativelyaffectfreightshippingontheUpperMississippi?

• RailSafety⇒ Movementofpetroleumproducts

• Panamax⇒ NewcapacityatmouthofMississippi

⇒ Expandlocksto1200’• WRRDA

⇒ PPPopportunities⇒ LooktoEurope’sMarcoPoloProgram

• InfrastructureFailure⇒ Outagesimpactingtimedefiniteschedulingandfreight

⇒ Lackofinvestmentinlastmileconnections

⇒ Icebreakingactivitiestokeepriversopenlonger

⇒ Fundingreform• Changingfuelpricesimpacton

othermodes• Greateruseoftechnologies

⇒ ITS• PetroleumfromNDandCanada

⇒ Fracsandimpact

⇒ Needliquidtransloadfacilities

⇒ Pipelinedecisionmayimpact

• RailCapacityatmax⇒ Expansionofrailcapacitymayreducerelianceonwaterways

⇒ Highdemandforrailmakingwaterwayslookmoreappealing

• Agriculturalexportsincreasingdotofarmingimprovements

• ContainersonBarge⇒ DesignatetheMississippiRiverandIllinoisWaterwayasacontainer-on-vesselrouteunderMARAD’sMarineHighwayProgramovertheexistingM-35andM-55

⇒ ProposalforInlandRivers,Ports,andTerminals(IRPT)andMississippiRiverCitiesandTownsInitiative(MRCTI)

• NewCleanAir/EnvironmentalRegulationsandotherpermits

⇒ Reductionofcoalshipments

⇒ Costprohibitivetodobusiness(salt)

⇒ NavigationandEcosystemSustainabilityProgram

⇒ Prohibitiveofmovingliquidsonwater

• Dredging⇒ Burdensomepermitrequirements

⇒ Lookforotherwaystopayforit

• Ethanolproduction⇒ Weakeningproductionimpactongrainmarkets

⇒ Higherproductionduetomandates/subsidies

• IncreasedDeiselTax

⇒ Allowforinfrastructureimprovements

• PeaktonnagemovedonUMRSoccurredin1995

⇒ Dropoffhasbeensosignificantsince1995with1%annualrecoveryitwilltake20-30yearsjusttogetbackto1995tonnagemoved.

• RailandRoadCongestion⇒ Waterwayisseenasviablealternativeforintracitytransportonwater

• Heavyliftmovements⇒ Projectcargo

4. Consideringyouranswerto3…

# Question VeryMuch

Somewhat Undecided NotReally

NotatAll

TotalResponses

Mean

1 IsthecurrentUpperMississippiinfrastructurecapacitysufficienttosupportincreasedshippingdemand?

4 14 4 9 5 36 2.92

2 IsthecurrentUpperMississippiinfrastructureconditionsufficienttosupportincreasedshippingdemand?

1 7 3 13 11 35 3.74

Statistic IsthecurrentUpperMississippiinfrastructurecapacitysufficienttosupport

increasedshippingdemand?

IsthecurrentUpperMississippiinfrastructureconditionsufficienttosupportincreasedshippingdemand?

MinValue 1 1MaxValue 5 5Mean 2.92 3.74Mode Somewhat(14) NotReally(13)Variance 1.68 1.43StandardDeviation 1.30 1.20TotalResponses 36 35

5. Ifnot,whatinfrastructuretypesrequireinvestmentinordertosupportsuchgrowth?

# Question VeryMuch

Somewhat Undecided NotReally NotatAll TotalResponses

Mean

1 Newlockanddams(Dualchamber,1,200footlock)

13 12 3 2 3 33 2.09

2 Lockanddamrehabilitation 19 9 2 1 1 32 1.63

3 9-footchannel(i.e.,dredging) 17 11 2 2 1 33 1.76

4 Ports 8 15 4 2 2 31 2.195 Docks 8 14 6 2 2 32 2.256 Harbordredging 10 15 4 2 1 32 2.037 Fleet 3 12 8 7 1 31 2.718 Fleetservices 4 10 6 7 1 28 2.689 PilotBoats 2 7 13 6 2 30 2.97

6. Rankinorderbydragginganddroppingthefollowingsmall-scaleinfrastructureimprovements

basedontheirimportanceinincreasingcommerceontheUpperMississippi.1isthehighestand5isthelowest.

# Answer 1 2 3 4 5 TotalResponses

1 Mooringcells 6 11 11 5 0 33

2 Guidingwalls 4 7 13 9 0 33

3 Docks 5 11 5 11 1 334 Intermodal

facilities 17 3 2 8 3 33

5 Other 1 1 2 0 29 33 Total 33 33 33 33 33 -

Statistic Newlockanddams

Lockanddam

rehabilitation

9-footchannel(i.e.,

dredging)

Ports Docks Harbordredging

Fleet Fleetservices

PilotBoats

MinValue 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1MaxValue 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5Mean 2.09 1.63 1.76 2.19 2.25 2.03 2.71 2.68 2.97Mode VeryMuch

(13)VeryMuch

(19)VeryMuch

(17)Somewhat

(15)Somewhat

(14)Somewhat

(15)Somewhat

(12)Somewhat

(10)Undecided

(13)Variance 1.59 0.95 1.06 1.23 1.23 1.00 1.08 1.26 1.00StandardDeviation 1.26 0.98 1.03 1.11 1.11 1.00 1.04 1.12 1.00

TotalResponses 33 32 33 31 32 32 31 28 30

Statistic Mooringcells Guidingwalls Docks Intermodalfacilities

Other

MinValue 1 1 1 1 1MaxValue 4 4 5 5 5Mean 2.45 2.82 2.76 2.30 4.67ModeRank(n) 2(11),3(11) 3(13) 2(11),4(11) 1(17) NAVariance 0.94 0.97 1.38 2.34 0.92StandardDeviation 0.97 0.98 1.17 1.53 0.96

TotalResponses 33 33 33 33 33

OtherResponses:

• Fleeting/stagingareas• Lockmaintenance,notemergency

repairs• Scheduling• Lastmileconnectors

• EquipmentatDocks• Addressbacklogofmaintenanceof

Corpsphysicalplant• Floodprotectionforhighwaysand

railwaysservingport7. Rankinorderbydragginganddroppingthefollowingnewinfrastructuredevelopmentsbasedon

theirabilitytomakeserviceroutesevenmoredirect,makingtheUpperMississippievenmoreaccessibletoproductionareas.1isthehighestand5isthelowest.

# Answer 1 2 3 4 5 TotalResponses

1 Portsincloserproximitycustomers

11 9 5 6 1 32

2 Docks 4 6 18 4 0 323 Intermodal

transferconnections

11 13 5 3 0 32

4 Equipment 4 4 4 19 1 325 Other 2 0 0 0 30 32 Total 32 32 32 32 32 -

Statistic Portsincloserproximitycustomers

Docks Intermodaltransfer

connections

Equipment Other

MinValue 1 1 1 1 1MaxValue 5 4 4 5 5Mean 2.28 2.69 2.00 3.28 4.75ModeRank(n) 1(11) 3(18) 2(13) 4(19) NA

Variance 1.50 0.74 0.90 1.31 0.97StandardDeviation 1.22 0.86 0.95 1.14 0.98

TotalResponses 32 32 32 32 32

OtherResponses

• 2-3designatedTrimodalPriorityPortDevelopments• Fullbarge,truckandrailtransloadingfacilities• 1200’locks

8. IdentifyatleastoneexampleontheUpperMississippiofwhereandwhatnewinfrastructuredevelopmentwouldbetterfacilitatefreightmobility.

• FracSand⇒ loadingfacilitybetweenAlmaandTrempealeau

⇒ loadingfacilityinLaCrosse

• Intermodalandheavydutydockingandhandlinginfrastructurein

⇒ Quincy,IL.⇒ Mile13-14onMinnesotaRiver

⇒ St.Louis• NewportatoldSavannaArmy

Depot• GovernmentBridgeatRockIsland

Arsenal/Lock&Dam15• Expandany/alllockanddamsto

1200’

• Investmentinhigherspeedunloadingsystemsandmorestoragespaceatterminals

⇒ Increasevelocityandreduceoverallequipmentneeds

• Fertilizerandsaltmovedinwintermonths

• ReplacementoftheswingbridgeandlesseningofcurvewheretheCanadianPacificrailwaylinecrossestheMississippiRiverbetweenLaCrescent,MNandLaCrosse,WI.

• Maintainchanneldepthviadredging

⇒ Findnewplacestostoredredgedmaterial

• OiltransferterminaloroilrefineryontheUMR.

9. Ifprivateinvestorsweretoengageinapublic-privatepartnershiptoimproveinfrastructureontheUpperMississippi,whatwouldbeyourtopthreeinvestmentpriorities?

• Navigation⇒ Dredging⇒ Buoys

• LockandDams⇒ 1200’⇒ PrivatizeCorpsduties⇒ PreventativeMaintenance

⇒ Helperboatsatalllocks• Terminals/Ports

⇒ Highspeedunloadingsystems

⇒ Landacquisitionfornewfacilities

⇒ Docks⇒ Mooringcells⇒ Additionalbulkstorage⇒ Fleeting⇒ Security

• IntermodalFacilities⇒ Trucktorailterminals⇒ HighwayandRailfloodprotection

• Technology⇒ ImplementRiverInformationServicesinUMR

⇒ Ecosystemrestoration⇒ Energyefficiency

• Holisticapproachtowaterwaymanagement

⇒ Recognizeandprotectshareduseandmultipurposenatureofriver

⇒ ImplementmoderntransportmanagementonUMR

10. What,ifany,policiesorregulationsconstrainfreighttransportationontheUpperMississippi?• EnvironmentalRegulation

⇒ Siteselection♦ Newindustrialfacilities

⇒ Fishandwildlifeblockingaccesstodredgespoillocations⇒ Dredgedmaterialsitepermitting⇒ VesselGeneralPermit⇒ Excessivewetlandmitigationratios

• JonesAct⇒ Limitationofvessel,crew,andownership⇒ Disincentivetoinnovationandinvestment,promotesstatusquo

• FederalOversight⇒ CorpsofEngineerslimitedbyfederalrequirements⇒ MultiplemissionsonUMRhinderfinancing⇒ LackofencouragementofPPPs/NGOs⇒ Lackoffundingforinfrastructureimprovement⇒ LackofFederalleadershipforUMRparticularly⇒ USACEpermitshinderdevelopmentalongriver

• NewConstructionofPorts/Docks

⇒ USACEandDNRprocessgetsintheway⇒ Regulationofinducedheadonnewdocksanddockimprovements

Solutions/Modificationstoregulation:• Changepublicperception

⇒ Veryhighbartoachieveacceptanceandapproval• TemporaryWaiversapproval

⇒ Marketcompetitive⇒ Approved,butstillregulated⇒ Prolongedperiod(ie6years)

• Environmental,FishandWildlife⇒ Needtorealizethatdredgedmaterialsislandsarehelpingwildlife⇒ Dredgedmaterialsreclassificationtoremovehazardouswastelabel⇒ Betterdefinedpermittingrequirements

• Funding⇒ PerformmorelikeHWTFwherelargecapitalprojectsmoveforwardoverlong

timeframes⇒ Needreliableandongoingfundingsource⇒ Promoteandincentivizeprivateinvestment⇒ Reduceagriculturalsubsidiestooffsetcostsforriverimprovements,whichwill

benefitagricultureshipping• USACE

⇒ PromotecooperationbetweenCorpsandShippingindustry⇒ Approvalsandpermittingleveragedfor“pet”project

11. What,ifany,policiesorregulationsbestsupportfreighttransportationontheUpperMississippiandmustbemaintained?

• Balanceindustrialneedwithresourceprotection,publichealth,andsafety• America’sMarineHighwayProgram• InlandFuelTax• Incentivize/allowprivateinvestment• NESP• Protectingtheshareduseofwaterways

12. What,ifany,policiesorregulationsareconfusingandneedclarification?• “Cumulativeimpact”• Harbormaintenancetaxes

⇒ Inlandwaterwaydomesticmovementsforfreightgoingthroughaterminalonthepathtointernationaltrade

• EndangeredSpeciesAct⇒ Rulesbeyonditsscope?

• Abilityofstateagenciestointerferewithinterstatecommerce• Publicfundsforpublicportsnotavailabletoprivateports• USACE408permit

⇒ Lackofstandardforanythingtodowithornearthelevees• Coastguardregulations

⇒ SubchapterM–inspection,standards,andsafetymanagementsystemsoftowingvessels

• EPA’sVGP⇒ VesselGeneralPermit

13. Wouldthefollowingtypesofregionalcollaborationbeofvaluetoyou?

# Question VeryMuch

Somewhat Undecided NotReally NotatAll TotalResponses

Mean

1 Advocacy 17 6 7 2 0 32 1.812 Service

development 6 12 13 1 0 32 2.28

3 Marketing 10 11 9 2 0 32 2.094 Economic

Development 14 11 5 1 0 31 1.77

5 Identifyotherregionalcollaborationthatyouwouldfindvaluable

4 1 2 0 0 7 1.71

Statistic Advocacy Servicedevelopment

Marketing EconomicDevelopment

Identifyotherregionalcollaborationthatyouwouldfindvaluable

MinValue 1 1 1 1 1MaxValue 4 4 4 4 3Mean 1.81 2.28 2.09 1.77 1.71Mode VeryMuch(17) Undecided(13) Somewhat(11) VeryMuch(14) NAVariance 1.00 0.66 0.86 0.71 1.25StandardDeviation 1.00 0.81 0.93 0.84 1.12TotalResponses 32 32 32 31 9

Otherregionalcollaborationthatyouwouldfindvaluable

• Regionalcollaborationaddressingtheabove• Consensusbuildingaroundvalidandthoughtfulregionalplansthatnestimproved

performanceofIWSintoregionaleconomicrecoveryplatform• Utilizingexistingportsandestablishingnewportstoshareinformationandmarketing• Researchrelatedtonavigationmodernization• MODOTIDOTtoimprovehighwayfortransloads

14. Whatarethebiggestopportunitiesthatexistforports,terminals,andoperatorstoworktogether

onservicedevelopmentorotherefforts?

• Publicawareness⇒ Benefitsandneed⇒ Industryandenvironment

⇒ Needforefficientandenvironmentallyconsciouswaytomoveproducts

⇒ Floodprotectionandrivertraffic

• Reliability⇒ Onlywaytotruealternativetorailandtruck

• EducationofElectedOfficials⇒ Marketdrivenforces⇒ Publicsectorinvestmentneeds

⇒ Extentofbeneficialusers

• Businessdevelopment

⇒ Moreinvestmentinrailandproductionfacilitieswithinregion

• Improveefficiency⇒ Increaseutilization⇒ Improveroadcapacity⇒ Intermodalcontainers

• Marketing⇒ Advertiseadvantages⇒ Regional/basin-wide⇒ Importersandforeignfirms

• Cooperationbetweenstateandfederalgovernmentstoimplementimprovements

• Expandfocusonexportstoincludeshorthaul

• DevelopbusinessmodelsandbuildO-Dnetworkoveralargerregionforsingecommoditygroups

• Speakasonevoiceforfreighttoclarifypermitsandregulations

• StLouisasregionalfreightdistricttoimplementareaprojectsthatwillbenefitentireregion

15. WhatshouldtheUpperMississippistates’dotoenhanceportsandterminalsandstrengthentheriver’sroleinfreightmovement?

• BuildrelationshipsattheUMBRAlevelthroughnavigationsubcommittee.• EncourageGovernors’officeshighlightneedforinfrastructuremaintenanceand

improvementandbalancedapproachforecosystemrestoration• Supportmarinehighwaydesignation,NESTP,andadequateO&Mfunding• Formalignedstateorganizationsoflocalstakeholderswithfocusoneconomicdevelopment• Educategeneralpubliconhowcriticalriveristonationandworld• Studybottleneckandintermodalconnections• Updategrainloadingterminals• Createstateandregionalwatertransportationplanswithstakeholders• Reformenvironmentallaws• Expandcoordinationwithrailandtruck• SupportprivateinvestmentandpartnerwithUSACEtoadvancePPPs• Supportshortlinerailroadsthatdelivercargotoriverfacilities.

16. Whatshouldthefederalgovernmentdotoenhanceportsandterminalsandstrengthentheriver’sroleinfreightmovement?

• Maintaintheinfrastructuretheybuilt⇒ Resolvefundingissues⇒ Increasefunding⇒ Dedicatefundingforrailandroadaccess

• ReconsidertheJonesAct• DevelopaStrategicPrimaryFreightNetworkthatincludesconnectorsandterminalsonthe

waterways• Balancenavigationandecosystem• UpdateconditionassessmentsofIWSinfrastructure

⇒ Analyzeandvetclaimedtechnicalrequirementsformajorrehabprojects⇒ AccuratelycaptureO&Mcosts⇒ SeekCorpsexpertsinoperations(lockmasters)toreportwhencostsavingscouldbegeneratedtodrivedowncosts.

⇒ Makeaboveavailabletopotentialinvestors• FundandimplementNESP• Promotemodernizationratherthaninvestmentinobsoletesolutions• Providemeaningfuldialoguewithprivatesectorstakeholders

⇒ Reduceinfrastructureconstraints

⇒ Regulatoryreform• Streamlinepermitsfornewdevelopmentandencouragedevelopment

17. Basedonyouranswersabove,whatarethegreatestneedsforstakeholderadvocacytotheAdministrationandCongressinthefollowingcategories?a.New(ormodificationstoexisting)policies

• NESP⇒ BalancedapproachtoeconomicsonUMR⇒ Ecosystemrestorationgivenequalplay

• JonesAct⇒ Enableinternationalinvestors,operators,crewandowners

• IWTFandOlmsteadlockchanges• Allowprivateinvestment• Increasefederalfunding• Cleanair

⇒ Successfullyremovingcoal⇒ FertilizerandSaltarenext,withhugeramificationsforshippingonUMR

• AllowprivateengineeringfirmstomoveaheadonrehabilitationoflocksanddamsinaPPP• Don’texpandcapacityoflocksuntilitisneeded• UnderstandunintendedconsequencesofEndangeredSpeciesAct• Supportreestablishmentofthehistoricriverchannel

⇒ Actualfundingfordredginganddisposal⇒ Strongervoiceforupriversedimenttransport

• Developuniformrulesandpoliciesforportdevelopmentb.Fundingsupportforthefollowingprogramsorprojects

• NESP• Dredging• CapitalinvestmentsinassetsfornewcargoesatappropriatepointsofIWS• Invest,maintain,andprotecttheriverandcurrentfacilities• Grantstoincreasecapacity

o TIGERfundingusedmoreequitablyforinlandportsandwaterways• 1200’lockanddams• Majorrehaboflockanddams

c.Newinfrastructureprojects

• NESP• LockandDam25andPeorialockontheILRiver• Fullyfundedprojectsupfront,nopiecemeal• Conveyors,buildings,highercapacitycranes,duallockchambers• Currentprojectsandthen1200’lockanddams

• Nonewconstruction,focusonrehabonly• Mooringcells,extendingguidewalls• In-watertrainingstructurestomovesedimentoutofdifficultareastodredge• Onlyprojectsinthewater,notonland• Mid-AmericaIntermodalPort

d.Other

• PushforPPPsandbringprivatecapitaltoIWSmodernization• ConsistentandloudmessagetoDCthatUMRnavigationiskeytonation’sinlandwaterway

systemandastrongeconomyo EfficientwaytotransportproductstoGulfofMexicoo Depicttheconsequencesoflackofforesightandfunding

§ Transportationdelays§ Totalshutdown

18. [Fornon-federalpartners]Wouldyoubewillingtoengageinadvocacyefforts?Ifso:a.Onwhatissues?

• NeedforfullfundingofO&Mandrehabilitationofexistinglockanddams• Ecosystemrestorationprojects

o Recreationaleconomythatrestorationcreates• Fosteringstakeholderforumsatgrassrootslevelstobuildasetofstateadvocacyprograms

o CoalescearoundPPPPilotProgramso Engagewiderangeofbeneficialuserso Fundingissueso Containeronbarge

• Sciencebasedbackingtomaintainorimproveaworkingriver• Environmentalregulationreform• Infrastructure• DredgedisposalsitesandUpriversedimentissues• Facilitatingdiscussion/debate/educationandidentificationofsolutions

b.Towhatdegree(e.g.,signingregionalletters,makingHillvisits)?

• ThroughUMBRA• Signingregionalletters• Hillvisits• Educationoflocal,state,regionalandfederalelectedandcareerleadership• Onlyinterestedinregionalefforts• WhitepapersforlocalofficialstocarrytoDC

o Localinvestmentinintermodalinfrastructureandimprovementstoaccess• Districtvisits

• Mobilizingcitizengroupstopressurepoliticians• LocalgovernmentadvocacytotheFedsforanincreaseintheMarineFueltax

19. WhatothersuggestionsdoyouhaveforimprovingtheUpperMississippiasacommercialnavigationcorridor?

• Figureoutawaytobetterdemonstratethatenvironmentalbenefitsmorethannavigation⇒ Perceptionisthatifyouimprovenavigationithurtstheenvironment⇒ Highlightvaluenavigationbringforenvironment⇒ Navigationinfrastructureandnaturalinfrastructurearemorecompatiblethanpublicbelieves

• Corpsisuninformedatwhatthecurrentsystemallowsanddoesnotallowandthehighlevelneedsofthesystem

⇒ Needbetterstakeholdercooperation/communication• RegularserviceicebreakerforwinterfortheUMRS• UMBRAshouldworkmorecloselywiththeWaterwaysCouncilandtheUpperMississippi

WaterwayAssociation• Customershaveyearroundneedsandtheriverisseasonal

⇒ Needtohaverailandtruckorstorageforwhentheseasoncloses• Deepernavigationchannel

⇒ A12’depthwouldbemorecompetitiveonacostpertonbasis• Improverelationshipsandcommunicationtolocalgovernmentsalongtherivertoletthem

knowwhatthefederalroleis.• Lesslobbyingmorefactbasednarrativerevealingtheregionaleconomybusinesscasefor

modernization.⇒ Makeargumenttocitizens....notcheerleaders,bureaucrats,andpoliticians.⇒ Now...thatcasehasbeen"effectively"communicatedtonewaudiences,turnfocusto'pathforward'.

⇒ Revealsolutionsthatdon'tsimplykickballtofederaltaxpayertosolve.⇒ Next,showpoliticianshowitwillactuallyhappen...drawthemaprocessmap...revealingcapacitygapandhowalternativefinancingandfeesanddedicatedtrust(thatTreasurycan'tdipinto)willbeusedtomodernizeandsustainsystem....withactionplanandtimetable.

⇒ Engageinvestorcommunity.⇒ RecruitJointVenturedevelopmentteams.⇒ Announceprioritiesandpilots....realprioritiesnottheChickamaugaandlowerMonongahelalocksthatmovelittletonnageandcompetewithUMRSfordollars.