U.S. ADMINISTRATION OPPOSES U.S.-CANADA SEAWAY CORPORATION
The Clinton Administration opposes legislation that would establish a
binational U.S. and Canadian agency to manage and operate the St. Lawrence Seaway.
"The Administration at this time does not support the creation of a
binational agency," Albert S. Jacquez, administrator of the St. Lawrence
Seaway Development Corp. told the House Water Resources and Environment Committee.
"The St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. and its Canadian counterpart have worked
hard over the past 40 years to present the Seaway user with as seamless a system as
possible under the current national structures. In many areas, including joint rules and
regulations, and joint vessel traffic control, the agencies have been successful in
presenting the seaway user with a unified system."
Rep. James Oberstar, D- Minn., the bill’s sponsor and other supporters
of the legislation say that the creation of a binational agency will cut costs by
eliminating duplicative functions of the U.S. and Canadian management agencies.