The QAT
The Miami River Quality Action Team remains active under the
leadership of the USCG-MSO. This public-private partnership tackles
problems related to environmental protection, marine safety,
commercial viability and enforcement by agencies with jurisdiction
on the river. It's publication, The
Miami River Quality Action Team Annual Report, underwent
its third printing (1998-1999) in July of 1999 and is available
from the MRMG office (305-285-1864).
RiverDay Festival
Every spring, Miami River marine industry companies join with
the City of Miami, the Miami River Comission, Dade Heritage Trust
and the Downtown Development Authority to sponsor Riverday, an
effort to awaken interest about preserving the working river
and its environs. Sponsors organize a Riverside day of music,
entertainment, educational exhibits and festivities. Antillean
Marine as Presenting Sponsor offers a masrine expo. Clearly,
the Miami River is finally getting the attention it deserves.
The challenge for the working river in light of this success
is how to encourage development of the river's potential without
destroying its working character. RiverDay 2000 will take place
on April 1st.
Dredging
Key among the issues undertaken by the Miami River Marine
Group is the dredging of contaminated sediments which have accumulated
along the sides of the river's channel for close to 60 years.
The quality and the quantity of these sediments pose both environmental
and navigational hazards. This summer the Army Corps of Engineers
sent shock waves of delight into the shipping community when
it reversed its long standing cost-share formula for dredging
the river by agreeing to absorb 80% of all dredging costs except
land purchase or lease, leaving the remaining 20% to the local
sponsors. In addition, river interests were successful in obtaining
a $5 million appropriation in Congress' Energy and Water Bill
-- enough to accomplish the first phase of dredging once the
local sponsors are secured. Efforts are currently underway with
the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and the state of Florida
to formalize their roles as local sponsors. The outlook is very
positive.
The first phase of the river to be dredged is the marine industry
section west of the 27th Avenue bridge. The immediate result
of Phase One (of 5 to 8 phases) will alleviate constriction in
the channel and widen the time frame when ships can transit.
Ultimately, larger vessels like those operated by Antillean and
Bernuth will be able to load deeper, in some cases doubling their
capacity in weight. Sailings which now load at 10.5 feet for
the lowest tide will be able to load at 15 feet. Should events
open trade with Cuba, the river will be positioned to take maximum
advantage of its proximity to Cuba's shallow draft ports. In
addition to the obvious environmental benefits of dredging, economic
development is likely to accelerate for the marine industry and
downtown commercial interests.
 Capt. Beau Payne, owner and operator
of P & L Towing and Transportation, identifies dredging as
the number 1 priority for creating economic impact in the heart
of the City. A close second and very well received is the recently
passed Caribbean Basin Initiative. Championed by Senator Bob
Graham, the CBI is expected to shore up 801 garment trade in
the Caribbean which has suffered from the abandonment of manufacturers
seeking better trade deals in Mexico and Canada. Payne points
out that the Caribbean is actually a more cost effective location
than Mexico when the playing field of trade preferences is level.
Payne recently accompanied Senator Graham on a Miami River fact
finding trip. Capt. He credits the Senator with CBI and Dredging
successes: "He'a a great guy -- a down-to-earth guy, a people
person who has done a great thing forthe Caribbean, our industry,
and the Miami River as a whole." Payne has reason to know.
Fifteen years ago he worked with Bob Graham -- then a candidate
for Governor -- who was acting as a deckhand aboard a tugboat
on the Miami River during a campaign "Work Day."
Capt. Payne believe the next dramatic circumstance which could
profoundly influence the river is a lifting of the Cuban embargo.
Virtually all the shipping partners from the river are united
in the belief that the river is the logical destination and departure
point for Cuban commerce. Payne has made ready by enhancing his
tugboat fleet: two new tugs, The Anneliese and the Joseph
A., have been retrofitted with designs customized specifically
for river traffic, bringing his ownership of tugs to four. Capt.
Payne has also recently expanded the scope of his company by
undertaking vessel repair work, with Dutra being an important
first client. P & L Towing embodies the spirit of competition
on the river -- Payne identifies his long-term goal for the company
as becoming the sole provider of fast, efficient, affordable
and friendly towing service for the entire river shipping community.
Finally, Fran Bohnsack, Executive Director of the Miami River
Marine Group, echoes the optimism expressed by the river community.
"The river is going to be dredged, despite the skepticism
of many, and all elements of the river community -- residents,
businesses, industry and downtown development -- are all going
to experience the benefits. The river's cargo carriers have survived
the threats posed by the worldwide consolidation of deep water
shipping lines and improved their efficiency at the same time.
General environmental and safety compliance is good, and local
government is paying attention to the industry in a positive
way. MRMG membership has grown by a third, and the replacement
of old bridges is underway. These elements auger well for continued
vitality of the Miami River as home to independent cargo activity."
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