Depth-Utilization Analysis for Estimating Economic Activity Supported by Dredging
Abstract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has the federal mission of maintaining the national waterborne transportation infrastructure. In support of this mission, the USACE invests hundreds of millions of dollars annually towards operation and maintenance, primarily dredging, of federal channels and waterways. Limited funding in recent years has forced project managers to make difficult decisions concerning which projects and sub-projects are to be dredged and which are to be considered lower priority awaiting extra funding. Examiners from the Office of Management and Budget have conveyed to USACE the need for providing more detailed economic justification for the money spent each year maintaining the many hundreds of channels and sub-reaches to project depths. Indications are that overall funding will not increase significantly until the economic case for dredging activities is improved. This article presents work being conducted within USACE at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory towards providing this justification through development of a decision tool for aiding in channel maintenance prioritization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA508729
Entities
People
- Kenneth W. Mitchell
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center