Lake Carriers Association

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE BUSINESS CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE GREAT LAKES SHIPPING INDUSTRY. THEIR MOST SIGNIFICANT RECENT ACTIVITIES INVOLVE CANADIAN BALLAST WATER REFORM,

ICEBREAKER AND ICE BREAKING POLICY: IN THE PAST 8 YEARS, INADEQUATE ICEBREAKING HAS COST THE GREAT LAKES REGION OVER $2 BILLION IN LOST ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. DURING THE WINTER OF 2021-2022, OVER 1.6 MILLION TONS OF CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY WAS DELAYED FOR 28 DAYS. LCA HAS HIRED A LOBBYING FIRM TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROPRIATE A NEW GREAT LAKES ICEBREAKER FOR THE COAST GUARD. IN ADDITION TO REGULAR ORDER FUNDING, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO FUND THE ICEBREAKER VIA THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL. LCA IS ADVOCATING FOR A NEW LAW TO CODIFY THE GREAT LAKES ICEBREAKING MISSION AND SET MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT - THE LEGISLATION THAT AUTHORIZES THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS' PROJECTS ALSO SETS FUNDING TARGETS FOR APPROPRIATORS. 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 COASTAL PORTS. DREDGING, BREAKWALL REPAIRS, AND LOCK MAINTENANCE ARE ALSO ALL PAID FROM THE FUND. LCA ALSO HIRED FEDERAL LOBBYISTS AND ATTORNEYS TO FULLY FUND THE COMPLETION OF A NEW CORPS FUNDED LOCK IN SAULTY STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN.

CANADIAN BALLAST WATER - TRANSPORT CANADA HAS PROPOSED AND FINALIZED BALLAST WATER REGULATIONS THAT WILL PROHIBIT U.S.-FLAG SHIPS ON THE GREAT LAKES FROM EXPORTING CARGO FROM THE U.S. TO CANADA. THE IMPACT OF THE REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN A CANADIAN MONOPLOY ON THE CROSS-LAKE TRADE ON THE GREAT LAKES, AND SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE REVENUE FOR U.S.-FLAG SHIPS. LCA WORKED WITH A LOBBYING FIRM TO FILE A PETITION WITH THE FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT. LCA CONTINUES TO WORK WITH TRANSPORT CANADA, THE EPA, FMC, AND THE U.S. COAST GUARD AS PART OF THIS EFFORT.