What Is The Gulf Of Mexico Trade Corridor Transportation Study?
This binational study - the first of its kind focused on both sides of the Gulf of Mexico - would create a long-range blueprint for enhancing homeland security and deepening the economic benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the strategic Gulf of Mexico basin trade corridor. The study will assess the infrastructure investment needed to increase trade and distribution networks throughout the Gulf of Mexico states. University and private research professionals will be invited to bid on the project, and a Technical Advisory Committee and an Executive Research Committee - comprised of key funders and stakeholders in the study - will guide the course of this path-breaking research initiative. The US Congress awarded Federal funding in FY 2005 to the Partnership to launch the first phase of the Study, which will be administered by the US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration.
Description
The Gulf of Mexico Trade Corridor Transportation study will:
- Review the commercial, transportation, environmental and security markets in the Gulf of Mexico region and profile existing infrastructure assets, provide a gap analysis of financial resources and physical infrastructure with recommendations for future planning, and identify new business opportunities in these sectors;
- Create a port security benchmark study, describing, under present and anticipated future circumstances, an appropriate, state-of-the-art port security profile that would assure fast, flexible, efficient and secure port operations (bulk cargo, containers & cruise operations, among others) within the Gulf of Mexico.
- Compile the supporting environmental assessment that will provide the essential baselines and measures necessary to support strategically integrated and sustainable future economic development in coastal areas of the Gulf.
- Provide critical decision-support research to inform Congressional Caucus public policy and legislative initiatives.
Scope
In three phases, this study would include the following elements, among others:
1. Market analysis
- Inventory of intermodal infrastructure assets throughout the eleven (11) Gulf of Mexico state members of the Accord
- Inventory of strategic security assets, critical infrastructure and gaps in the Gulf of Mexico states
- Gap analysis to determine needs for additional infrastructure and security measures
- Development of a policy framework for enhancing North American homeland security, including binational customs inspections, immigration and other security measures across the Gulf of Mexico
- Market analysis to determine directions of traded goods under NAFTA that could be moved more securely, more economically, and more efficiently across the Gulf of Mexico trade corridor
- Elaboration of and feasibility studies for capacity-building via existing Gulf of Mexico States infrastructure projects
- Development of joint planning and crisis response modalities, including, but not limited to disaster prevention and management, security response, environmental protection, food security and other health-related issues
2. A "security impact assessment" for the Gulf of Mexico states critical infrastructure
- Create a port security benchmark study, describing, under present and anticipated future circumstances, an appropriate, state-of-the-art port security profile that would assure fast, flexible, efficient and secure port operations (bulk cargo, containers & cruise operations, among others) within the Gulf of Mexico.
- The study will review current and projected customs and security methodologies and technologies for possible application in a seaport operation.
- In addition, the study will describe costs associated with the benchmark operation as well as innovative financing strategies.
3. An "environmental assessment" of the impacts of increased inter-modal transportation networks and related development projects within the Gulf Region, including:
- Establishment of current baselines and corresponding threats to the balanced ecological and economic carrying capacities of the Gulf's intermodal coastal transportation framework.
- Development of a collaborative binational strategy for the sustainable protection of Gulf of Mexico.
- Development of recommendations for effectively integrating U.S. and Mexico's coastal monitoring frameworks Gulfwide.
4. Policy recommendations and implementation
Deliverables
Phase 1:
- Report containing current security, critical infrastructure, policy and environmental inventories, infrastructure & financial gap analysis, economic foundations analysis, key issues, investment opportunities and background data and analysis
- Elements of a Gulf of Mexico Transportation Study Master Plan
- Recommendations and Next Steps (Phases 2-4)
- Website, and web-based communications network
Phase 2:
- Completion of Market Potential Study and recommendations
- Completion of Security Impact Assessment report, benchmark and public policy recommendations
- Begin Environmental Assessment component
- Report initial results from Mexican market potential study
- Website, and web-based communications network
Phase 3:
- Complete Environmental Assessment and public policy recommendations
- Complete and deliver Mexican study
- Combine and create Executive Summary and Recommendations for binational study
- Begin Master Plan for Infrastructure, Transportation & Security
- Website, and web-based communications network
Phase 4:
- Publish and deliver full binational report, data and public policy recommendations
- Draft policy and legislative initiatives
- Finalize Master Plan