Recovery Act Funds
Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security revealed that four bridge alteration projects will receive funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that President Obama signed into law on February 19. ARRA allotted $240m to the Coast Guard. Secretary Napolitano indicated that $142m of that total will fund bridge alteration projects on the Mobile Bridge in Hurricane, Al.; the EJ&E Bridge in Devine, Ill.; the Burlington Bridge in Burlington, Ia.; and the Galveston Causeway Bridge in Galveston, Texas. $88m will be directed to the construction of buildings to house Coast Guard Sectors in Corpus Christi, Texas and Jacksonville, Fl., and to the construction of personnel housing, boat moorings and other improvements in six states.
Great Lakes Pilotage Rates
Nav Safety Advisory Council Seeks Applicants
MERPAC Seeks Applicants
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications for membership on the Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC). Application forms should reach the Coast Guard by June 19. Contact Mike Sollosi or John Bobb of the Coast Guard at (202)372-1532 or by fax at (202) 372-1929.
The Coast Guard is seeking applications for appointment to the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). A copy of the application form is available online (www.regulations.gov) referencing docket number USCG�2009�0325. Contact Mark Gould,email mark.c.gould@uscg.mil
The U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Directorate announced that the Federal Register has published a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Great Lakes pilotage rates for 2009. The proposed new rule is effective August 1, 2009 and would increase the pilotage rates on the Great Lakes by 9.41 percent in an effort to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation and returns on investment. This proposed rule would reflect an increase in benchmark contractual wages and benefits as well as an increase in the ratio of pilots to bridge hours. The NPR, related materials and information on submitting comments can be found at www.regulations.gov, docket number USCG-2008-1126.
www.marinelink.com MN 49