Integrating Marine Transportation System Goals into a National Ocean Policy

Craig H. Allen
Associate Professor, School of Law; Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Marine Affairs
University of Washington

First, I first want to congratulate the members of the Commission as they begin their important undertaking and to thank the Governance Working Group for providing me with this opportunity to alert the Group to the issues surrounding a key sector in the nation's ocean and coastal system.

National Value of the MTS

The U.S. Marine Transportation System (MTS) consists of the nation's waterways, ports and their intermodal connections, vessels and system users. The MTS supports the U.S. economy and national security by providing a means of all-weather transportation for the movement of goods and people. It is the most flexible, most cost-effective and safest mode of domestic and international freight transportation, providing competitive access to suppliers and markets in an increasingly global economy. The MTS enables the swift mobilization and supply of American's military, both through military assets and through the sealift logistical support provided by the private commercial U.S. flag merchant fleet. It also provides recreational value to millions of boaters, fishers and cruise passengers. At the same time, the MTS creates actual and potential multiple-use conflicts and poses a risk to public safety and the marine environment. Accordingly, in formulating a national ocean policy the Commission should give careful consideration to the needs of the MTS and the demands it places on the larger ocean and coastal system.

Status of MTS Planning and Integration in the U.S.

Recognizing the vital role of the MTS in trade, national security and recreation, Congress, in 1998, directed the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with NOAA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other interested federal agencies, to establish a task force to assess the adequacy of the nation's MTS to "operate in a safe, efficient, secure, and environmentally sound manner" in the 21^st century. The MTS study culminated in Secretary Rodney Slater's September 1999 Report to Congress, which began by analyzing the present status of the nation's MTS. The Report highlights a number of trends, needs and critical issues. The Report identified concerns over:

Rapid growth in demand on the nation's MTS, including the demands imposed by ever-larger vessels, which must navigate safely and discharge/load their cargoes efficiently.
The adequacy of our locks and dams and navigation channel depths and widths, together with the closely related problems of navigation project funding and the environmental consequences of dredge spoil disposal.
Port and vessel safety and security in an era of rapidly increasing cargo, passenger and recreational waterway uses, and the growing threat of maritime crime and terrorism.

Desired Status of MTS Planning and Integration

Part V of the MTS Report provides a blueprint to achieve the "Desired State of the U.S. Marine Transportation System in 2020." It advocates adoption and execution of a policy designed to promote development of the world's most technologically advanced, safe, secure, efficient, accessible, globally competitive, responsive and environmentally responsible system for moving goods and people. Part VI of the Report then provides a strategic plan for reaching the desired state. Highlights of Parts V and VI include recommendations to promote and facilitate:

Clearly defined, coordinated and consistent federal leadership in the nation's Marine Transportation System.
Better horizontal and vertical integration among international, federal, state and local government agencies and other components of the MTS. Support of "Harbor Safety Committees" is one suggested tool for achieving cross-sectoral regional and local integration.
Port and vessel security measures adequate to reduce and eventually eliminate the increased threats from terrorism and maritime crime.
Full integration of environmental quality objectives and national security needs into MTS planning and execution.
A comprehensive, forward-looking and equitable approach to MTS funding.

Proposal to the Commission

The MTS initiative offers the Presidential Commission on Ocean Policy an invaluable opportunity to take advantage of a virtual treasure chest of hard work and well-considered national policy recommendations. The Commission should take care to avoid the common failing in several other nation's ocean policy regimes, which describe the maritime transport sector, but fail to integrate it meaningfully into the overall ocean policy. I therefore urge the Commission to acknowledge, integrate and build upon the MTS vision embraced in the 1999 Report; to ensure that the national ocean policy proposal presented by the Commission fully incorporates this vital sector of the U.S. and helps it reach its full potential.

I once again thank the Commission's Ocean Governance Working Group for this opportunity to address the importance of our nation's Marine Transportation System and the prominent role it should play in our nation's ocean policy.

UW School of Marine Affairs
3707 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98105-6715
uwsma@u.washington.edu