News & Policies – Great Lake Maritime Task Force
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The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force is a hub for information and the latest news pertaining to the maritime industry and other related topics. Our goal is to keep the community and our stakeholders informed on current happenings and initiatives that impact shipping on the Great Lakes.

PRESS RELEASES

Great Lakes Success in 2023 National Defense Authorization Act

Thanks to the efforts of the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation, major milestones were reached with the passage of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023.

LETTERS

The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force often drafts letters to inform elected officials of our organization’s stance and viewpoints on various issues, and to earn support for our goals. See GLMTF’s most recently published letter below.

Docket No. 20–10, Comments on Conditions Created by Canadian Ballast Water Regulations in the U.S./Canada Great Lakes Trade

July 10, 2020 Federal Maritime Commission800 North Capitol Street, N.WWashington, D.C. 20573 Via email to: secretary@fmc.gov Subject: Docket No. 20–10, Comments on Conditions Created by Canadian Ballast Water Regulations in the U.S./Canada Great Lakes Trade Founded in 1992, Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) promotes domestic and international shipping on the Great Lakes. With 76 members, […]

LEGISLATOR AWARDS

2020 Great Lakes Legislator of the Year:

Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI)

2022

Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI)

Congressman Gallagher has spearheaded legislation that invests in shipbuilding on the Great Lakes, improves the maritime supply chain during the winter, and ensures the Great Lakes Navigation System remains viable for years to come. Congressman Gallagher introduced the Supplying Help to Infrastructure in Ports, Yards, and America’s Repair Dock (SHIPYARD) Act of 2021 that would provide $25 billion to make investments needed to optimize, improve, and rebuild shipyard facilities, electrical infrastructure, environmental systems, and the equipment of public and private shipyards in the U.S. that support the U.S. Navy fleet. He also introduced the Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act, a bill that would clearly define the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) responsibility for icebreaking on the Great Lakes. Currently, the USCG conducts Great Lakes icebreaking based on an 85-year-old Executive Order that fails to clearly define the USCG’s mission. Congressman Gallagher was a staunch supporter of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2020.  He ensured a 13% set-aside in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for the Great Lakes Navigation System. Previous legislation included funding for small harbors like the Port of Green Bay but failed to sufficiently increase the funding to adequate levels. This bill increased the amount allotted to harbors on the Great Lakes Navigation System from 10% to 13% with actual funding levels this year approaching 15%.