David Cay Johnston: “I would like to commend the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee on its committee report which provides funding to…”

“I would like to commend the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee on its committee report which provides funding to complete the final development of the Vessel Traffic System [VTS] 2000. This is a system that is necessary to enhance the safety and environmental quality of our country's vital ports and waterways. In the recent past, and quoted in the committee's report, the GAO has estimated the cost of establishing these VTS Systems at the originally envisioned 17 ports at a cost of up to $310 million. Through a competitive bidding process and the widespread use of commercial off-the-shelf and non-developmental equipment, the estimated costs have now been dramatically reduced. In fact, recent estimates of the costs are well below those estimated by the GAO--now less than $200 million. And that number could be substantially reduced depending on what type of systems are implemented as part of VTS 2000.”