Last week, Republicans in the Florida congressional delegation backed a proposal from U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., which “would prevent the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from issuing a vessel slowdown zone in the Gulf of Mexico until the U.S. Department of Commerce demonstrates that the protocols developed to protect Rice’s Whales (RWs) in the Gulf will not negatively impact our supply chains or maritime commerce.”
Higgins brought out the “Gulf of Mexico Commerce Protection Act” and offered some of the reasons behind the bill.
“Earlier this year, environmental activist groups filed a petition with the NOAA to establish a year-round 10-knot (approx. 11.5 mph) vessel speed restriction zone in the Rice’s whale ‘core’ habitat area in the Gulf of Mexico. Since then, over 75,000 comments were submitted to the NOAA, many opposing the overly broad restriction,” Higgins’ office noted.
“Southwest Louisiana is home to a thriving maritime industry. Our ports serve as critical economic engines for our community and this great nation,”said Higgins. “As our nation continues to grapple with the effects of the supply chain crisis of the past three years, enforcing further limitations on vessel transit could cause catastrophic losses. By allowing partisan politics to dictate the future of our country’s economic prosperity, we’re setting ourselves up for massive failure. This legislation will ensure the security of both our maritime and commerce industries.”
The bill would “stop NOAA from issuing rulemaking to establish a vessel slowdown zone in the Gulf of Mexico; require NOAA to consult relevant government agencies and affected stakeholders in developing RWs protection protocols that do not resort to industry-killing policies such as vessel speed and night transit restrictions” and “directs the Department of Commerce to study the protocols to demonstrate no net negative impact on supply chains or maritime commerce to ensure that the protocols developed will balance interests in marine protection with our national maritime priorities” and “enhances accountability to Congress by demanding a report from the Department of Commerce with findings from the study within 60 days.”
Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn, Scott Franklin, Anna Paulina Luna and Dan Webster are co-sponsoring the bill.
“Florida’s maritime activities are vitally important to our state’s economy and supports thousands of jobs. Much of the Gulf of Mexico, especially my district, would fall under the 10-knot rule,” said Dunn. “This nonsensical and catastrophic rule would slow down transportation and devastate the seafood industry. I’m proud to join Rep. Higgins in this effort to protect the Gulf Coast’s economy.”
Dunn’s office offered some of the reasons why the Sunshine State would benefit from the proposal.
“Florida proudly boasts 16 seaports. Cargo and cruise activities support 900,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute $117.6 billion in economic value to the state. Florida maritime activities account for approximately 13 percent of Florida’s GDP while contributing $4.2 billion in state and local taxes. Forcing a vessel to operate at a maximum of 10 knots would add several hours to a typical trip, and halting vessel transits at night, as this rule suggests, would surely devastate the seafood economy,” Dunn’s office noted.
The Gulf Ports Association, the Marine Retailers Association of the America’s (MRAA), the Florida Ports Association and the St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association are backing the bill.
“Americans have not forgotten how the West Coast supply chain debacle of 2021 left shelves empty, medical supplies limited, and even threatened to cancel Christmas. Florida played an outsized role in resolving that crisis by encouraging ships to change lanes and sail to Florida seaports, yet NOAAs restrictive proposed rule will have the effect of putting America back in a supply chain crisis,” said Mike Rubin, the president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council. “We appreciate Representative Dunn and Representative Higgins for filing the Gulf of Mexico Commerce Protection Act to stop these harmful regulations.”
The bill was sent to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the end of last week. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.
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