In 2014 the Panama Canal Expansion Project will be completed: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/020108dnbuscanal... [1].
In order to prevent the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach from losing its $300 billion Asian cargo container vessels business that require deep water ports, it will be necessary for the California Congressional Delegation to remain vigilent and to "closely monitor" the FY 2009 Federal Transportation Budget and vote against any and all federal funding to dredge Gulf Coast ports, such as, the Port of Houston and the Port of Tampa for deep water purposes.
Currently, there are no deep water ports on the Gulf Coast. However, in the "NAFTA scheme of things," there will be attempts to upgrade the Gulf Coast ports similar to the I-69 funding in the states oh Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana.
While California ports would lose some business from vessels that require shallow water ports only to Gulf Coast ports, the cost savings, should the California Congressional Delegation vote against dredging, would be realized.
The movement of goods to other states and ports does not justify the wrecking of the California economy, and the U. S. economy.
by,
Robert E. Fisher, MSW
Former City of Los Angeles Legislative Analyst/City and California Local Government Rep before the California Coastal Commission 1974-78
cc Gov Swarzenegger,
Sen Boxer,
Sen Feinstein,
Sen Reid
Rep Jerry Lewis,
Pacific Maritime Assn