LEGAL-HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF NAVIGATION USER CHARGES

Toll-free use of the nation's inland waterway transportation network is shown to be a political and economic anachronism. The historical development of this free-use policy is traced from the early days of promotion of regional economic development under the legal sanctions of the Commerce Clause of the Constitution and the Northwest Ordinance. In an age of scarce funds for public works, the toll-free waterway program seems to be an outstanding candidate for application of the "beneficiaries pay" principle. Equity considerations, promotion of efficiency between transport modes, and public investment efficiency consideration suggest that a revision of this policy is timely. A legal analysis concludes that such a revision might be legal in theory but would likely face substantial political opposition in practice.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Ashton, P M
  • Cooper-Ruska, C
  • Shabman, L A
• Publication Date: 1976-4

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 89-100
• Serial:
  • ASCE J of Water Resources Planning & Mgmt Division
  • Volume: 102
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economics; Inland waterways; Rivers; Ship pilotage; Tolls; User charges; Waterways
• Old TRIS Terms: Inland waterways economics; River navigation; Toll operations
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00137984
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1976 12:00AM