IRCA Archive# 117 - IRCA meeting minutes 9/12/06 Chicago meeting

To: ALL IRCA Member and Friends of IRCA
From: Chairman
Date: 11/15/06
Subject: IRCA meeting minutes 9/12/06 Chicago meeting
IRCA Archive # 117

September 12, 2006 IRCA Meeting Minutes

Meeting was held at the Marriott Chicago Midway

Opening Remarks – President Marty Hettel called the meeting to order and welcomed all friends and members. A brief safety presentation was discussed in case of an emergency.

Presidents Report – Marty Hettel (AEP Memco)

President Hettel opened the meeting with a discussion of the new bridge procedures at the Seneca Railroad Bridge (254.1). Several minutes before lowering the bridge, a broadcast will be mad to check for approaching traffic, any vessel approaching should reply with position. If no traffic is approaching, the bridge will be lowered and the train will pass. The operator will then make a broadcast indicating when the bridge is back in the up position.

Captains Committee Report – Quent Harris (B&H Towing)

• ARTCO fleeting has decided not to move forward with the proposed Spring Valley fleet due to industry opposition.
• Pekin Boat Dock (152.9) has re-submitted their application for a boat dock showing a different layout. The industry is still expressing concerns that the dock will create a hazard to navigation at certain water levels. A letter opposing the project will be submitted.
• Rock Island District is proposing to post public notices on the web and discontinue the current mailings. IRCA is concerned that we may not see all of the postings due to schedule conflicts. We will discuss with the regulatory branch to address concerns.
• A meeting is being scheduled with the Army Corps to discuss the issue of 7 and 8 barge doubles. Please contact Quent if you are able to join in.
• The Lemont Fleeting plan is nearly completion. CMDR Mehler will ride through the area in the next couple of weeks and get the document signed.

IRCA Business
Two vacancies on the board (Jeff Covinsky & Mike Ebey) were filled by Jay McDaniel (Kirby) and Ed Henleben (Ingram).

Marquis Energy gave a presentation detailing a new Ethanol Plant to be constructed at mile 209 just above Hennepin. The project does not appear that it will have an impact on navigation but we will monitor construction activities as they progress.

Rick Granados, USACE – Rick introduced all members to the new Rock Island District Commander – Colonel Robert Sinkler

Mike Zerbonia, USACE – Mike updated the group on current repair projects.

Mike Cox, USACE - Mike distributed a handout detailing upcoming hydraulic repairs at Peoria Lock. The repairs will require several intermittent closures between 8 and 12 hours and will also require a 48 – 72 hour closure to change out the switchgear in January.

Bill Graham, USACE – Bill distributed an updated copy of Dredge worksheet areas of concern.

CMDR Paul Mehler, USCG – CMDR Mehler discussed the situation of the safety testing at the fish barrier in Romeoville and wanted to get a workgroup together to initiate an emergency action plan in case barrier 2A had to be energized short term due to a break down at the demonstration barrier.

Roger Wiebusch, USCG Bridge Branch – Roger updated the group on upcoming projects and also discussed the history of the EJ&E reporting.

Attendees:

Mike Cox, USACE, michael.d.cox@mvr02@usace.army.mil
Jim Hart, Marseilles Lock, james.d.hart@usace.army.mil
Larry Collins, Starved Rock Lock, floyd.l.collins@usace.army.mil
Dave Hood, LaGrange Lock, charles.o.hood@usace.army.mil
Steve Koenig, Brandon Road Lock, steve.c.koenig@usace.army.mil
Bill Graham, USACE – Rock Island, willis.j.graham@usace.army.mil
Roy Deda, USACE- Chicago, roy.j.deda@usace.army.mil
COL Jack Drolet, USACE- Chicago, john.drolet@us.army.mil
COL Robert Sinkler, USACE – Rock Island,
Chuck Shea, USACE – Chicago, charles.b.shea@usace.army.mil
CMDR Paul Mehler, USCG – Chicago, paul.mehler@uscg.mil
LTJG Dan Mochen, USCG – Chicago, Daniel.p.mochen@uscg.mil
Bob Balamut, O’Brien Lock, Robert.j.balamut@mvr02.usace.army.mil
Mike Zerbonia, USACE, michael.p.zerbonia@usace.army.mil
Rick Granados, USACE, rick.d.granados@usace.army.mil
Patrick Wharry, Lockport Lock, patrick.l.wharry@usace.army.mil
Glenn Dawson, Holly Marine Towing, hollymarine@aol.com
Todd Hudson, ARTCO, t_hudson@admworld.com
Terry Doyle, Calumet River Fleeting, tdoyle@calriverfleeting.com
Darren Melvin, Material Service, dmelvin@materialservice.com
Quent Harris, B & H Towing, qharris@bhtowing.com
Matt French, ARTCO, matthew_french@admworld.com
Jason Fenton, AEP Memco, jsfenton@memcobarge.com
Marty Hettel, AEP Memco, martyh@memcobarge.com
Samuel Dickey, ACBL, ssdickey@acbl.net
James Burns, Osage Marine, james.burns@cgb.com
Art Kehoe, CTLC, art.kehoe@cgb.com
Roger Blaske, AEP Memco, rogerb@memcobarge.com
Bill Russell, Illinois Marine, billr@imtowing.com
Leo Cattoni, Illinois Marine, leoc@imtowing.com
Roger Wiebusch, USCG Bridge Branch, roger.k.wiebusch@uscg.mil
Terry Wiltz, Florida Marine, terryw@flmarine.com