NOAA's navigation programs, including tides and currents and mapping and charting, provide critical environmental protection and safety tools for marine commerce. The maritime community can no longer afford to depend on unreliable data when navigating the waterways of the United States. Without accurate and timely information on harbor depths and shorelines, ships risk groundings and possible collisions. The letter urged the Administration to reprogram money to fund the program and to make navigation safety a national priority. With no other tool to accurately monitor these conditions, significant safety and environmental risks could result.
Public ports generate significant local and regional economic growth, including job creation.
The American Association of Port Authorities was founded in 1912 and today represents more than 150 public port authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the Association represents over 300 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in the seaports of the Western Hemisphere. AAPA port members are public entities mandated by law to serve public purposes. Port authorities facilitate waterborne commerce and contribute to local, regional and national economic growth.