TRVA News River Valley Association Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council

Fall 2009 Newsletter

TRVA Hosts 43 rd Annual Meeting

The TRVA held it’s 43 rd Annual Meeting on October 20, 2009 at the Clarion Inn & Suites Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

In an opportunity for representatives from related governmental agencies and industries to gather in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere, members and guests were offered presentations of interest to all concerned with the economic health and vi tality of the Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys.

Mike Wilson , Deputy District TRVA Board of Directors Member Elaine Patterson Presents U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp of Tennessee with Engineer for Project Management of the U.S. the 2009 ‘Janice L. Jones’ Friend of the Valley Award Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, briefed meeting participants on Corps Mitch Laird of the Corps’ Nashville activities related to the American Recovery District sought and encou raged participation in and Reinvestment Act. He also reported on providing input related to the Ohio River Basin the status of work at Wolf Creek Dam, the Comprehensive Study that will seek to identify the Kentucky Lock Addition and other important priorities and needs of the entire Ohio River Nashville District projects including the System in the future. The Tennessee and potential suspension of construction and the Cumberland Rivers are important tributaries and eventual closing of Chickamauga Lock. TRVA input will be critical. www.orboutreach.com

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Cornel Martin , President and CEO of U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp the Waterways Council, Inc. pointed out the Pledges Continued Support for importance of the nation’s entire inland waterway system. Chickamauga Lock Project

Addressing the insolvency of the Inland U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp of Waterways Trust Fund , he discussed the Tennessee’s 3 rd District and aggressive supporter progress of the Inland Waterways Users of the Chickamauga Lock Replacemen t Project Board partnership with the Corps’ to resolve was warmly welcomed in Gatlinburg as the the funding shortfall that would provide the keynote speaker of the TRVA 43 rd Annual needed funds to continue the critical projects Meeting. that are currently ongoing. The joint effort should result i n recommendations that will Introduced by retired long time TRVA address the crisis and are expected to be Director Jan Jones, Congressman Wamp’s released on December 15, 2009 when the presentation centered around the challenges Users Board meets in New Orleans. facing completion of the new Chick amauga Lock. www.waterwayscouncil.org “We really have our work cut-out for us, we have come a long way and frankly we have sort Lance Brown , Executive Director of of defied the odds in the past through dogged the Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy determination and I think effective legislative (PACE) spoke of the need for a common work to get us this far” according to Wamp. sense approach to addressing our nation’s energy needs. “I think we have to light a grassroots fire now, like we did years ago when Jan Jones and A policy that includes existing hydro, the TRVA, Miles Minnell and the local nuclear and clean coal technologies should be governments (ATVG), and Elaine Patterson and sought to insure our region’s ability to the business community, the three women that continue to compete in the global frankly deserve a whole lot of credit here, really marketp lace. Wind and solar power built a base of grass-roots support not just in the generation are not found to be as practical in Tennessee Valley, but across the Southeastern the Southeast United States as they are in United States for the necessity of doing this other regions of the country. project. Then we built the kind of legislative teamwork that commenced construction, but we TRVA along with the other Coalition of have hit a pretty l arge wall until the Congress of Alabama Waterways Associations the United States and the Executive Branch does organizations were among the first to support their job, doing their job means fixing the Inland PACE. www.energyfairness.org Waterway Trust Fund.”

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will be suspended until Trust Fund resources become available. According to Gary Lowe of the Corps Headquarters in Washington, suspension of construc tion at Chickamauga and Kentucky Locks will last more than a decade without a meaningful solution to the Trust Fund’s insolvency.

Efforts by Wamp and Congressman of Tennessee’s 4 th District to include FY2010 funding to continue construction at Chickamauga failed in the House and Senate Energy and Water Conference Committee earlier this year. The rd Zach Wamp Addresses TRVA’s 43 Annual Meeting President’s Budget included only $1 million in In Gatlinburg, Tennessee funding for Chickamauga, that allows the

Corps’ to finish FY2009 work on the cofferdam, testing and related work already In our legislative process there are about under contract. nine ways to skin a cat. “My report for you today though, is that we are down to about With the door closed on opportunities in three left” according to Wamp, “the first six of the FY2010 Budget, the three options the nine ways have not worked. What the remaining to skin this cat, as Wamp put it, are outstandi ng civilian side of the Corps’ has done 1) to include funding in a supplemental spending for us is move this project as absolute far as we bill, 2) to include in a potential second stimulus could given the constraints of the statutes from bill that he would oppose but Congressman which they are working under.” Having used Davis would likely support and possibly assist in every penny available to this point to prepare including funding for Chickamauga construction, for lock construction, the Corps’ will be unable or to 3) attach language to some other to begin to pour footings in the Tennessee for unrelated legislation. “One of these three cats the foundation due to the insolvency of the skinned, and we’re b ack in business” Wamp Trust Fund. stated, “but it has got to be done now, this is not a 2011 issue.” When the cofferdam contract that is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2010 Reliability studies have found the risk for is complete, the water will be pumped out, the a possible catastrophic failure of the existing structure will be tested for integrity and then lock increases significantly beyond 2010. TVA will have water returned to it and construction

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has been i nstructed by the Corps’ to begin in Congress to support his efforts to continue planning for the eventual closure of the existing funding for construction at Chickamauga Lock. lock at Chickamauga. “It would make no sense, it would be asinine, surely not in the greatest As a candidate for Governor in the Sta te nation in the history of the world, surely not, of Tennessee who will leave the House in early they (the Congress and Adminis tration) would 2011 Wamp stated, “It is important that not let this happen,” Wamp said. Senator Alexander lead this effort in the Senate and that over the next fourteen months I “The first major system in the country ramrod the House side.” Wamp also said, “a that could shut down if we are negligent as a House Member can’t really hold u p the trains nation is the Chickamauga Lock, on the like a Senator can, but I am going to do Tennessee River. This is not one man’s fight, everything that I can, including laying down in this is not my project, this is Amer ica’s project front of this train over the next fourteen and we have to make the case, and we have to months to get these footings poured in the light this fire all over again, and we have got to middle of the Tennessee River. We are going do it quick.” to move this as far as we can down the road before I leave, because it has to be done.” Congressman Wamp informed Senator of the Corps’ notification to At the conclusion of his remarks, TRVA TVA and the critical nature of this situation. Board of Directors Member Elaine Patterson Ale xander could become the Ranking Member presented the TRVA 2009 ‘Janice L. Jones’ of the Senate Energy and Water Committee Friend of the Valley Award to Congressman and be in a position to have influence needed to Wamp (see photo on page 1). The Friend of complete the Chickamauga project. “He now the Valley Award is presented annually to knows the urgency because of TVA’s honor an individual’s commitment and notification from the Corps’ to begin that contributions to the economic health and proces s of the preparation, because if it closes vitality of the Tennessee and Cumberland River for more than five weeks, all of those products Valleys. TRVA is honored to have go somewhere else, probably to stay,” Congressman Wamp receive the presti gious according to Wamp. award for 2009, and shares his commitment to the continued construction through completion “It is a challenge that we should rise to of the Chickamauga Lock Replacement and will meet, all of us together, so lets light the fire actively support his efforts in Congress and again and make t his a major issue.” He called across the Southeastern United States. See this on participants to encourage support from online video from House floor: across the Southeast and Eastern United States www.house.gov/wamp/videos/100109video.wmv

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Commissioner in his preparations to lead the Water Transportation Committee in AA SHTO. Ron, who also briefed TRVA and guests on the progress of efforts to develop a container-on- barge market in the southeast, has availed his many years experience in inland river port and economic development projects to help Commissioner Nicely better develop a national waterway perspective that will serve him in his new capacity.

Nicely was appointed Commissioner of Transportation by Governor Phil Bredesen and

Tennessee Department of Transportation assumed the position in January 2003. Commissioner Gerald Nicely Commissioner Nicely had the distinction of serving simultaneously in two state cabinet posts following his December 2005 Gerald Nicely, Tennessee Department of appointment by the Governor to oversee the Transportation Commissioner addressed the restructuring of the Tennessee Department of TRVA Annual Meeting during the Luncheon Safety. held at the Clarion Inn & Suites Hotel in th Gatlinburg on October 20 . TRVA was honored to have Commissioner Nicely travel from Nashville and Commissioner Nicely is the new adjust his schedu le to accommodate last minute Chairman of the Standing Committee on Water changes in the program to participate in the Transportation for the American Association of Annual Meeting where his message and State Highway Transportation Officials who will leadership in the region are very much meet November 18-20 in Washington. appreciated. Tennessee, the Nation and TRVA Replacing Butch Brown of Mississippi, Nicely are fortunate to have such a dedicated briefed TRVA and guests on his new professional committe d to the future of responsibilities with AASHTO. transportation serve in valuable leadership roles within Tennessee and in AASHTO. We TRVA met with Commissioner Nicely look forward to supporting Commissioner and Paula Shaw of TDOT, who was elected to Nicely in his efforts to seek efficient solutions the TRVA Board of Directors for 2010, in to our nation’s transportation systems Marc h to discuss Tennessee’s waterway challenges. resources and ways to make efficient use of these transportation assets. Ron Coles, a TRVA Vice President for 2010, has assisted the

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TRVA Gratefully Appreciates These Announces Closure Schedule for Companies That Served as 2010 and Proposed 2011 Sponsors of the TRVA 43 rd Annual Meeting During his presentation to the TRVA Annual Meeting, the Chief of the Nashville Cherokee Equity Corporation District’s Navigation Branch, Jeff Ross updated TRVA and guests on maintenance pla ns for the Ingram Barge Company Tennessee and Cumberland River Systems locks in 2010-2011. The schedule follows: Ingram Materials Company

Calendar Year 2010 Olin Chemical Corporation

Chickamauga Lock is scheduled for closure Tennessee Valley Towing to navigation traffic from 6:00AM on 13 April 2010, through 6:00PM on 11 May 2010. TPG Green Solutions

Melton Hill Lock is scheduled for closure to Volunteer Barge & Transport navigation traffic from 6:00AM on 8 June 2010, through 6:00PM on 29 June 2010. W.R. Coles & Associates

Fort Loudoun Lock is scheduled for closure to navigation traffic from 6:00AM on 20 July 2010, through 6:PM on 10 August 2010. TRVA is proud to Announce that the new Tennessee River Valley Association Watts Bar Lock is sc heduled for closure to Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council navigation traffic from 6:00AM on 12 October Website is now Online. 2010, through 6:00PM on 2 November 2010. The new web design will improve our ability to communicate our message and share information Calendar Year 2011 (Proposed Dates) of importance to our Membership and those who share similar interests. Chickamauga Lock 19 April through 10 May Updates will be available related to upcoming events, news, links, newsletters and related Wheeler Auxiliary 7 June through 28 June information.

Wilson Auxiliary 26 July through 23 August The new Website address is the same as before: www.trva-tcwc.org

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TRVA Elects Board of Directors and Officers for 2010

During the Membership Meeting portion of the Annual Meeting in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the TRVA membership elected the following Board and Officers for 2010:

President: Mark Hommrich, Volunteer Barge & Transport, Nashville, TN

Chairman of the Board: Joe Vancil, Ingram Barge Company, Paducah, KY

Vice Presidents: Ron Coles, W.R. Coles and Associates, Nashville, TN Tim Culp, James Marine, Inc., Paducah, KY Alex Nelson, Nelson Services Group, Florence, AL Elaine Patterson, Olin Chemical Corporation, Chattanooga, TN Ronnie Pritchard, RP Consulting, Brentwood, TN Buddy Sanders, Ingram Materials Company, Nashville, TN

Returning Board of Directors Members: Robert Brewer, Crounse Corporation, Paducah, KY Ray Burkhart, Burkhart Enterprises, Knoxville, TN Ken Canter, Paducah-McCracken Riverport Authority, Paducah, KY Kenny Gillum, Kentucky Cumberland Coal Company, LaFollette, TN Glenn Hendon, Hunter Marine, Nashville, TN Don Lee, Fort Loudoun Terminal, Lenoir City, TN Mark Mayfield, Tennessee Valley Towing, Paducah, KY Frank McKee, CTAS, Nashville, TN Tim Parker III, Parker Towing, Tuscaloosa, AL Peter Serodino, Jr., Southern Marine Construction, Chattanooga, TN Jim S weeney, Cherokee Equity Corporation, Nashville, TN

Newly Elected Board of Directors Members: Hal Greer, Florence Port Authority, Florence, AL Michael McQuillen, DiMatter & Associates, Sugar Land, TX Laurence Secrest, Basic Resources, Knoxville, TN Paula Shaw, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Nashville. TN

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TRVA Adopts Resolution Related The Great Loop Cruisers’

to Energy Legislation Association Fall Rendezvous on Tennessee River The TRVA Membership voted to adopt a resolution encouraging inclusion of all forms of clean, renewable en ergy in any legislation The Great Loop Cruisers ’ Association met in October at the Joe Wheeler State Park in adopted by Congress. Existing hydro, nuclear and clean coal technologies should be included Rogersville, AL on the Tennessee River. The annual event has been held at the State Park along with wind, solar and biomass energy generation to prevent our region from being Marina in recent years bringing approximately 70 unfairly punished by legislation in its current boats with over 100 “Loopers” that travel the form. The resolution in its entirety is available Inland Wa terway System in a “Great Loop” of the Eastern United States. on the new TRVA-TCWC Website under the news tab at: Loopers from across America enjoy the beauty and calm waters of the Tennessee River www.trva-tcwc.org in the fall and look forward to returning in years to come. See photo below.

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Tennessee River Valley Association Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council

Contact: Cline Jones, Executive Director P.O. Box 1745 Decatur, AL 35602 256-355-4660 Office 256-394-3433 Cell

[email protected]

www.trva-tcwc.org

TRVA is a not-for-profit 501© (4) public interest organization