Transport and Trade 



3. Harbor and Port Development. A multi-agency research effort has 

 been initiated to study requirements of a national system of ports with par- 

 ticular attention to regional aspects. As a first step, preliminary planning 

 and establishment of multi-agency working arrangements are being empha- 

 sized during FY 1968, and initial fact-finding is to be conducted in FY 1969 

 at a $100,000 level of effort by the Corps of Engineers. It should also yield 

 requirements for engineering development which will contribute to port 

 efficiency in the short run, as well as to the design of ports for the future. The 

 The Department of Transportation and the Corps of Engineers have primary 

 concern in this research program in its broadest aspects. The Maritime Ad- 

 ministration will contribute technical engineering knowledge in cargo han- 

 dling, shipping requirements, and related areas. Other Departments will 

 participate in projecting shipping loads. The Department of Housing and 

 Urban Development \v'ill consider relations betwen port development and 

 urban expansion and redevelopment. 



This multi-agency effort will include a study of port needs and the costs 

 and impact of the kind of improvements that modern shipping technology 

 indicates as potentially desirable. 



As currently envisioned, the study will include analyses of trends in com- 

 modity movements and fleet composition, and implications by region of 

 projected traffic movement and vessel size ; requirements for port and related 

 facilities to accommodate prospective traffic effectively; alternative techno- 

 logical means for accommodating future transport systems; and appro- 

 priate financial participation by non-Federal entities, including States and 

 local subdivisions. 



Port authorities and other State-local interests will be asked to participate 

 in advisory capacities as well as to provide basic information. 



87 



