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Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, in the simplest terms, my bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a lease with the Savannah Bar Pilots Association for the Bar Pilots' continued use of the pilot base located on Cockspur Island at Fort Pulaski National Monument. They currently operate under a similar arrangement, and this bill simply aims to prolong the relationship between the Park Service and the Bar Pilots. Since 1940, the Pilots Association has continuously occupied a facility at Fort Pulaski which acts as a station for the pilots to move to and from the vessels that call on the Port of Savannah. The original special use permit allowing the pilots' station at Fort Pulaski was the result of a direct order from the Secretary of the Interior.
The Bar Pilots perform a vital role in the operation of the Port of Savannah. The pilots assist cargo ships navigating the Savannah River to reach the Georgia Port Authority's Garden City Terminal, which is about 20 miles from the mouth of the Savannah River. After an incoming ship contacts the pilots and a meeting is established, the pilots are ferried on one of several pilot boats, up to 12 miles, to the ``pilotage grounds'' outside the channel in the Atlantic Ocean, where vessels wait for the pilots. The Bar Pilots then climb aboard the ship and tell the ship's captain how to safely pass the dangerous sand bars in the Savannah River. Pilots must not only hold an unlimited Coast Guard license, but demonstrate an absolute knowledge of the river. The Cockspur Island location was chosen due to its location between the Garden City terminal and the pilotage grounds in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Savannah River Pilots contributions to Savannah can be traced back to 1760s. According to early records, William Lyford established a pilot house on Cockspur in 1768 to help ships from England carrying lumber, cattle, hogs, and poultry navigate the shallow and muddy waters of the Savannah River. By the early 1800s, trade between Savannah and England was thriving, and more able pilots were needed to help the influx of ships through the channel. In 1864, the Savannah Pilots Association was formally organized to emphasize the city's commitment to developing Savannah as a port city. Today, the Port of Savannah is the second largest container port on the East Coast, the fourth largest in the Nation, and the fastest growing container port in the United States. One out of every 14 jobs in Georgia can be directly or indirectly tied to the state's ports and over 1,700 new port-related jobs were announced in 2009. The success of the Port of Savannah can be tied to the expertise of the Bar Pilots who guide the container ships safely into the harbor. Every cargo ship above 200 gross tons--which is nearly every ship that calls on the Port of Savannah--must have bar pilot on board.
Since 1940, the Savannah Bar Pilots Association has been entering into special use permits with the U.S. Department of the Interior for the use of the station at Fort Pulaski. The terms of these permits have ranged in length from a one-year permit to a 20 year permit that existed from 1973 to 1993. The current special use permit between the Pilots Association and the Department of Interior was entered on December 8, 2008 and expires on December 8, 2010. Because of recent changes to the Department of the Interior's policies regarding special use permits at various national parks and national monuments, the National Park Service since 2007 has been discussing with the Pilots Association a long term arrangement to enable the Pilots Association to continue to use the facility at Fort Pulaski. H.R. 4773 is the result of research done by attorneys for the Department of the Interior and counsel for the Pilots Association. The legislation will enable the Pilots Association to enter into a renewable 10 year lease with the Department of Interior, the pricing for which will be based upon fair market value for the property. The authorization for a 10 year lease will enable Fort Pulaski National Monument and the Pilots Association to continue their relationship spanning more than 70 years on Cockspur Island that has been beneficial for both parties.
Other than the location at Fort Pulaski, there is no other available land near the Savannah River entrance from which the pilot boats can reach the pilotage grounds off the coast of Georgia. Any relocation of the pilot station would result in longer transit times for vessels, increased safety risks in foul weather, possible delays in ship movements, and greater fuel usage and operating costs for the pilots and ships requiring pilotage services. H.R. 4773 does not seek to give any special treatment to the Bar Pilots. They currently operate under a similar agreement, and this bill simply aims to prolong this relationship between the Park Service and the Bar Pilots that has allowed the Bar Pilots to effectively perform the valuable public service of facilitating international commerce and economic development. Employees of the Park Service initially approached the Bar Pilots to suggest legislative action, and the Park Service has been involved in this process every step of the way. This bill will not take land out of the Park Service's protection, nor will it pose any cost to the American taxpayers. In fact, the bill requires Bar Pilots will to help with park maintenance costs. We are not aware of any local opposition.
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