FR 2021-00736

The Department of the Army's announcement regarding the upcoming virtual meeting of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Inland Waterways Users Board, is primarily aimed at informing the public and stakeholders about the agenda and logistics of the meeting. Scheduled for February 9, 2021, this meeting is crucial for discussing and receiving updates on investment projects concerning the inland waterways systems in the United States. Being open to the public, it provides an opportunity for individuals to engage with government processes concerning national waterways.

General Summary

The document details an open, virtual advisory committee meeting concerning the Inland Waterways Users Board. The meeting serves as a platform for discussing updates about funding, ongoing projects, and future investments in the U.S. inland waterways system. It offers stakeholders an avenue to provide input through both written and verbal comments.

Significant Issues or Concerns

The document does present several issues, notably the lack of transparency regarding potential costs associated with hosting the virtual meeting. Moreover, while it lists contact information, including personal email addresses of government officials, it raises potential privacy or security concerns. In addition, the use of technical jargon and acronyms without clear definitions might alienate those not already familiar with these terms, which could exclude laypersons from thorough understanding or participating effectively.

The process for public participation, specifically verbal comments, is cumbersome. It requires interested individuals to submit their intentions several days in advance, potentially discouraging those who might decide to engage spontaneously or without prior knowledge of such processes. Moreover, the formal and procedural language used when describing the submission of comments might intimidate those unfamiliar with federal procedures, thus leading to reduced public engagement.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this document highlights the opportunity to engage with government processes in an area that might not typically be at the forefront of public discourse. However, without careful consideration regarding the language and participating requirements, the meeting may see limited engagement from the public, impacting the responsiveness and inclusiveness of the decision-making process about national waterways.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Stakeholders who are more directly involved in the navigation and waterways industry stand to benefit from such meetings. They can ensure their voices and concerns are heard, potentially influencing the direction of important infrastructure decisions. However, the barriers to participation introduced by the communication style and meeting format may also adversely affect smaller stakeholders with limited resources to navigate bureaucratic processes.

Overall, while the document invites public participation, its effectiveness in achieving a truly inclusive dialogue may be hindered by a lack of clarity and accessibility in its language and procedures. Simplifying the process and demystifying the language could lead to a broader and more representative dialogue, enhancing the potential positive impact of public engagement in the management of national waterways.