AAPA’s concerns over US fiscal 2009 budget

While the President called for a freeze on federal funding, the seaports association indicated its disappointment over cuts in the US Army Corps of Engineers’ deep-draft maintenance budget and lack of funding for a programme that would promote moving more cargo onto America’s waterways.

AAPA also indicated concern over the Administration’s request to fund the federal Port Security Grant programme at 25% less than Congress has authorised.

“Competitive, secure, navigable seaports are vital to the US economy,” said AAPA President Kurt Nagle. “Because development and maintenance of our federal navigation channels are critical for safe and secure access to America’s seaports, AAPA is greatly disappointed with the Obama Administration’s proposal to cut nearly 10% from last year’s congressionally-approved budget for the Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Programme.”