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DCUMENT RlESUM E
04528 - [B3474713]
Opportunities for Large Savings by Altering Some Inland Waterway
Operations. CED-78-12; B-167941. December 12, 1977. 31 pp. + 6
appendices (11 pp.).
Report to the Congress; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller General.
Issue Area: Transportation 3ystems and Policies: National
Policies and Programs (2406); Water and Water Related
Programs (2500).
Contact: Cotrunity an4 Economic Develcpmernt Div.
Budget Function: Natural Resources, Snvironment, and Energy:
Water Resources and Power (301); Commerce and
Transportation: Water Transportation (406).
Organizaticn Concerned: Department of the Army: Corps of
Engineers; Department of Transportation.
Congressional Relevance: House Committe on Public Works and
Transportation; Senate Committee on Public Works; Congress.
Authority: Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C.
1651). River and Harbor Act of 1919 (P.L. 60-317). 33 U.S.C.
541. 33 U.S.C. 499.
Many Federal, State, and private drawb-ilges or locks
are operated 24 hours a day despite little or no boat traffic
during predictable periods. The U.S. Coast Guard regulateR
operaticns of drawbridges along navigable watervays, and the
Army Corps of Engineers operates aid maintains some inland
waterway routes and owns and operates some bridges and locks. in
many instances the cost to maintain unobstructed navigation at
all time is enormous, and considerable savings could be realized
with little impact on navigation if such services were reduced
or eliminated. Findings/Conclusions: Reducing drawbridge
operations when justified by traffic patterns could save
'lions of dollars. In Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Virginia, 62% of the bridges analyzed tiere manned
24-hours d day, although 45% had less than one boat in an 8-hour
period, The costs and other maintefance problems associated with
the Dismal Swamp Canal outweigh its benefits. The current annual
cost of keeping the canal open is $435,000. Recommendations:
The Secretary of the Army should direct the Corps of Engineers
to: analyze vessel usage of its bridges and locks, consult with
users as to their 1ility to adj.st to new operating hvurs,
consider various alternatives for reducing hours and costs, and
request Coast Guari! approval for adjusting operations where the
savings from reducinq such operations are more than the benefits
of operating continually. The Corps of Engineers should also:
determine whether States or local communities would assume the
costs to maintain the Dismal Swamp Canal for through navigation,
hold meetings to obtain public views regarding closure of the
canal, and determine the environmental impacts of such closure.
The Secretary of Transportation should require the Coast Guard
to develop and disseminate to drawbrilge owners criteria for](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaawjm0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)