SEA-21

In May of 2001 Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta challenged the members of the MTS National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) to propose an outline of a comprehensive national marine transportation system legislative package, similar to the existing TEA-21, which covers our Nation's highway system.

The MTSNAC has identified the crucial elements of a SEA-21 package to achieve the following objectives:

• Assure that the U.S. MTS will have adequate capacity to support the expected growth in trade in the 21^st century
• Address national security concerns
• Provide congestion relief for both passenger and freight transportation
• Improve system integration and seamless connectivity between all transportation modes
• Improve safety of the MTS
• Address MTS related environmental issues and land use
• Assure a highly skilled work force