Lake Carriers Association (LCA)

ICEBREAKER AND ICE BREAKING POLICY: The Coast Guard continues to lack the resources to keep commerce moving efficiently during the Great Lakes winters. In addition to economic loss to the region, vessel operators have experienced groundings, propeller damage and hull fractures. Lake Carriers Association (LCA) has hired a lobbying firm to assist with the appropriations process to build an additional icebreaker for the Great Lakes. The firm also helps with policy changes to more accurately measure the performance for the icebreaking mission. LCA advocated for specific language on ice breaking in the Coast Guard Authorization bill.

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT: This legislation authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers projects to maintain the Federal waterways and also sets funding targets for appropiators. LCA hired attorneys and federal lobbyists to better fund the Great Lakes navigation system and increase the spending targets from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. This fund pays for operations and maintenance at costal ports such as dredging, breakwall repairs, and lock maintenance. LCA also hired federal lobbyists and attorneys to fully fund the completion of a new Corps funded lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. LCA is also advocating for federal funding of the Great Lakes to connect channels and to deepen portions of one of those channels.

CANADIAN BALLAST WATER: Transport Canada finalized regulations that will prohibit U.S. Flag ships on the Great Lakes from exporting cargo from the U.S. to Canada. The Canadian attempt to regulate ballast water discharges in the U.S. gives their ships a monopoly for the bi-national Great Lakes trade which will significantly decrease revenue for the U.S. Flag ships. LCA filed a petition with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) requesting an investigation into the Canadian government. LCA has hired a lobbying firm to assist with that process. LCA continues to work with Transport Canada, the EPA, FMC and the U.S. Coast Guard as part of this effort.