12-R110

2012 -- S 2439

Enacted 03/01/12

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING CONGRESS TO DESIGNATE THE PORTS OF RHODE

ISLAND AS DESTINATION PORTS AS PART OF THE CURRENT PLANNING AND

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARINE HIGHWAY SHIPPING PROGRAM

Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Walaska, Bates, Goodwin, and Ruggerio

Date Introduced: February 16, 2012

     WHEREAS, United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has identified 18

marine corridor, and designated six initiatives for further development as part of “America’s

Marine Highway Program”; and

     WHEREAS, These all-water routes consist of 11 corridors that can serve as extensions of

the U.S. surface transportation system; and

     WHEREAS, These corridors identify routes where water transportation presents an

opportunity to offer relief from landside traffic congestion, excessive air emissions, and other

environmental concerns or other challenges; and

     WHEREAS, In these corridors, United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has

designated six “Marine Highway Initiatives” for further development, including the nearby Port

of New Bedford; and

     WHEREAS, These Marine Highway Initiatives will receive support from the Department

of Transportation in the form of assistance in further developing the concepts through research,

market analysis, and other efforts to identify opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, These projects will help start new businesses and expand existing ones. The

result will be more freight moving along America’s coastlines, reduction in air pollution and

traffic congestion along surface corridors, and jobs for skilled mariners, shipbuilders, and

individuals in other port-related industries; and

     WHEREAS, In 2009, the Rhode Island General Assembly established a Special

Legislative Commission to Study Potential Economic Opportunities in the Development of Port

Facilities in Rhode Island, known as the “Port Commission,” and charged it with studying Rhode

Island’s Port-related economy, with the intent of making specific recommendations to better

utilize Rhode Island’s coastal resources and unique geographic location to create employment

opportunities for Rhode Islanders during the worst economic downturn since the Great

Depression; and

     WHEREAS, After completing three years of study, including 11 meetings, numerous

visits to each and every commercial port in Rhode Island, and over 40 hours of expert testimony

from 25 maritime witnesses, the Commission has learned that:

     (a) The Port of Providence has received a $10.5 million TIGER grant that will purchase

and install two high performance harbor cranes which will enhance the port’s ability to continue

its existing bulk material operations, while expanding its capabilities to accommodate container

operations; and

     (b) The Port of Davisville also received a $22.3 million TIGER grant that will fund pier

and structural improvements, install railroad track, ballast, and ties in the Pier 2 area, as well as

purchase a port crane; and

     (c) These capital investments enable both facilities to better accommodate Marine

Highway cargo shipments; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby requests that our federal delegation become further involved as the U.S. Department of

Transportation works towards implementation of the Marine Highway Shipping Program, to

ensure that the U.S. Maritime Administration designates the Ports of Davisville and Providence

as participants, thus yielding additional federal funding and creating new jobs; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the members of Rhode Island’s Congressional

Delegation.

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LC01716

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