49 U.S.C. § 303a : US Code - Section 303A: Development of water transportation

Search 49 U.S.C. § 303a : US Code - Section 303A: Development of water transportation

(a) Policy. - It is the policy of Congress -
(1) to promote, encourage, and develop water transportation,
service, and facilities for the commerce of the United States;
and
(2) to foster and preserve rail and water transportation.
(b) Definition. - In this section, "inland waterway" includes the
Great Lakes.
(c) Requirements. - The Secretary of Transportation shall -
(1) investigate the types of vessels suitable for different
classes of inland waterways to promote, encourage, and develop
inland waterway transportation facilities for the commerce of the
United States;
(2) investigate water terminals, both for inland waterway
traffic and for through traffic by water and rail, including the
necessary docks, warehouses, and equipment, and investigate
railroad spurs and switches connecting with those water
terminals, to develop the types most appropriate for different
locations and for transferring passengers or property between
water carriers and rail carriers more expeditiously and
economically;
(3) consult with communities, cities, and towns about the
location of water terminals, and cooperate with them in preparing
plans for terminal facilities;
(4) investigate the existing status of water transportation on
the different inland waterways of the United States to learn the
extent to which -
(A) the waterways are being used to their capacity and are
meeting the demands of traffic; and
(B) water carriers using those waterways are interchanging
traffic with rail carriers;
(5) investigate other matters that may promote and encourage
inland water transportation; and
(6) compile, publish, and distribute information about
transportation on inland waterways that the Secretary considers
useful to the commercial interests of the United States.