Budgeted Funding for the AIWW Near Record Highs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released their FY22 Work Plan identifying how they intend to spend the funding they received for the upcoming year. While much of the work plan funding is outlined in the FY22 appropriations bill, additional funding was included for the Corps to allocate based on project needs they have identified around the country and not covered in the funds designated by Congress. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) advocates annually for additional funding for the operations and maintenance of inland waterways, small, remote, and subsistence navigation, and general navigation for the waterway.

The AIWA efforts were successful with an additional $5.62 million in funding received for projects in the Corps’ work plan above the amounts included in the appropriations bill.

Overall, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) is receiving $29.953 million for FY22 and the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJIWW) is receiving $985,000. This includes appropriations for every state along the AIWW. In addition, the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina received additional funding in the Corps’ work plan. This is the highest amount of funding the waterway has received in the regular appropriations process in recent history.

In addition to the FY22 appropriations, the AIWW received $22.02 million, and the NJIWW received $14.35 million in the first year of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (FY22 IIJA).

Looking ahead, the FY23 President’s budget allocates $39.476 million for the AIWW and $1.06 million for the NJIWW. The AIWA said it is highly likely that the budget will exceed $100 million in funding for the AIWW and NJIWW between the FY22, FY23.