IRCA Archive# 103 - Minutes from March 9, 2004 Meeting

To: ALL IRCA Member and Friends of IRCA
From: Marty Hettel
Date: 3/22/04
Subject: Minutes from March 9, 2004 Meeting
IRCA Archive # 103

Minutes from March 9th
Meeting in St. Louis

IRCA President, Darren Melvin, called the meeting to order at 09:00. We then proceeded with the introduction of members and guests and then proceeded with a Safety Briefing of the facility. The Presidents report then followed:

· Darren gave a recap of the meeting on Wednesday March 3rd, which was attended by the Lake towers and MSO Chicago to discuss the definition of “Fair Weather” under the load line requirements for Dry Cargo River Barges Operating on Lake Michigan. Darren reports that the meeting started with defining “Fair Weather”, however the discussion quickly changed to barge conditions with specific conversations concerning watertight compartments. In order to include Barge Owners in this discussion, another meeting will be set up to discuss barge conditions, as it refers to Load Line Requirements for Dry Cargo Barges Operating on Lake Michigan. Mr. Marty Hettel will organize this meeting and will contact all parties concerned when this meeting time a place is established.
· Darren then informed the group that a meeting between MSO Chicago and all Fleet Operators between Brandon Road Lock and Lake Michigan would be held March 23rd at Garvey Marine’s office in Lemont. Darren requested all participants bring documented identification of fleeting areas that each operator is using.
· Darren then reported that the city of Lemont, IL is still looking at the property south of the Railroad Bridge in Lemont for re-zoning. Darren reports that the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is to allow the city of Lemont to annex this property for zoning rights. Anyone wishing to lease any property for fleeting requirements should still contact the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

The meeting then proceeded to the Captain’s Committee report, which was presented by the Chairperson of the Captain’s Committee Mr. Quent Harris. Mr. Harris made the following comments:

· Thanks were given to all who participated in the conference calls during the “Ice Season” on the Illinois River. It was noted that traffic was able to keep transiting Peoria Lake during “Ice Season” for the simple fact that the industry was able to regulate itself through these conference calls. Thanks were also giving to the following members that contributed to bearing the expense of the conference calls. Artco, Kirby, Memco, and the Corps of Engineers.
· Quent advised that Navigation Notices were now being sent electronically to members. If you have not been receiving notices electronically please contact Rick Granados or Dave Varner.
· The Captain’s Committee report then shifted to the RNA for Joliet harbor. Mr. Harris noted that the temporary RNA had expired. It was then that Eric Pickering, USCG MSO Chicago, stated that the expiration of the temporary RNA concerning Joliet harbor was due to an administration problem at MSO Chicago. Mr. Pickering reiterated the RNA was in fact still in effect. The members of the IRCA voiced opposition to extending the RNA at Joliet past the completion date of the protection cell. The construction of the protection cell has commenced and the members of the IRCA request that we run some test tows with 15 barges upon completion of the protection cell before a permanent RNA be established. Mr. Pickering stated he would bring our request back to MSO Chicago and present our request to Capt. Terry Carter and LCDR Dave Fish.

Our meeting was then turned over to our guest speaker, Mr. Todd Rushing of Rushing Marine, who gave the members and guests a detailed presentation of Vessel security issues that confront most of our membership. Items Mr. Rushing covered were:

· 33CFR101 Maritime Security
· 33CFR102 National Security Plan (Reserved and not yet written)
· 33CFR103 Area maritime Security Plan
· 33CFR104 Vessel Security Plan
· 33CFR105 Facility Security Plan
· 33CFR106 Outer Continental Shelf security Plan
· Sensitive Security Information (SSI)
· 33CFR160 Notice of Arrival
· 33CFR161.24 and 33CFR164.46 Automated Identification System (AIS)

The meeting then adjourned for a short break at 10:30

Upon reconvening the meeting turned to our round table discussions with the USACE and the USCG. First up was Mr. Rick Granados with the COE, Rock Island District. Rick brought up several issues:

· COE Rock Island District has a shortfall of approximately $6,000,000.00 in funding.
· Security issues that are mandated by the Department of Homeland Security will not receive additional funding form the Government and these funds will come out of the current 2004 budget. These security issues were funded by the department of Homeland Security in 2003
· Corps is being asked to cut their 2005 budget by 15%. Some of these cuts could come in the form of labor costs that could result in the following:
1. Working only 2 shifts at Lock facilities.
2. Eliminating the Corps mobile maintenance department
3. Closing of Campgrounds and Boat Ramps.

Dave Varner then made members aware upcoming events:
· Lock Masters Meeting in Davenport will be March 23rd
· Dredging at Beardstown to start April 1st

Mike Cox made mention of the following issues:
· Average dredging on the Illinois River has averaged 234,000 cubic yards for the past 10 years. Last year (2003) was 230,000 cubic yards
· New dredging contract to be let in June 2004, however Mike sees a short fall of $1,600,000 for dredging on the Illinois this year. Along with a $1,800,000 shortfall in funds for dredging on the UMR in 2004.
· Mike referenced Just In Time dredging on both the Illinois and Upper Mississippi will be in effect this year due to limited funds. Mike suggested that the Captains Committee set recommendations for priority places for dredging. The Captains Committee recommended meeting directly after lunch with Mike.

Mike Kruckenberg then made mention to the following:
· Corps is in the process of using a ton-mile equation to evaluate which rivers receive funding for O&M.
· Mike suggest the members of the IRCA take an active role to help overcome these short falls in funding
· Update on the opening of lock 24 could be as early as Saturday March 13th.

The discussion then turned to the USCG.

Eric Pickering made mention of the following:
· The RNA in Joliet Harbor
· Barge condition for barges transiting Lake Michigan
Paul Putkey brought up the following issues to the members:
· Buoys on the Illinois River have all been reset after the “Ice season”
· Buoys are in the process of being placed on the Upper
· Cutter Sangamon will be out of service for 5 weeks in July for maintenance
· Goal for the buoy tenders is to make a run once per month for surveys and buoy placement.
· Construction on light stanchions in Peoria Lake will begin this summer.

Roger Wiebusch reports the following:
· Construction on the Jefferson Street protection cell has begun. If members have any problems transiting the area please contact Roger, as construction should not impede navigation.
· The funding for the EJ&E R/R bridge is at $9,000,000, however funding needs to reach $15,000,000.00 before construction can begin

Darren Melvin then addressed the members and guest of the IRCA to make our voices heard. Within this meeting we all heard of shortfalls in funding for maintenance, dredging, construction, and even the possibilities of labor cuts within the USACE. Darren made it clear that we all need to take the time to write letters, e-mails, and make appointments to voice our opinions on the issues that face our industry. If we do not make our voices heard, then who will?

Meeting adjourned at 1200

Members and Guests in attendance:
Darren Melvin Material Service
Quent Harris B & H Towing
Marty Hettel Memco Barge Line
Jeff Covinski Hannah Marine
Paul Putkey USCG
Erik Pickering USCG
Jim Patterson Osage Marine
John Voyles Memco Barge Line
Ron Judson Calumet River Fleeting
Mike Cox USACE
Ernie Reed American Boat Company
Robert Barnes Illinois Marine Towing
Mike Krukenberg USACE
Tom Heap Canal Barge
Chuck Burlingame Artco
Rick Granadas USACE
Scot Striffler USCG Bridge Division-Cleveland
Roger Wiebusch USCG Bridge Division St. Louis
Bill Knutson USCG Bridge Division St. Louis
Dave Varner USACE
Matt French Artco
Luke Moore Artco
Sammy Dickey ACBL
Raymond Hopkins Artco
Buddy Compton Ingram
Clay Williams Marquette
Marc Davis Marquette
Glen Dawson Holly Marine
Harry Waddington Memco Barge Line
Mike Rushing Rushing Marine
Todd Rushing Rushing Marine
Dominic Tumminello Memco Barge Line
Mike Kessler Garvey Marine
Kris Poppe Garvey Marine
Cmdr. Suzanne Englebert USCG