Delta Queen Seeks Kimmswick Development Permit
Date Posted: August 28, 2018
Posted In: Projects,
From Waterways Journal: On June 27, a bill favoring the Delta Queen, introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and supported by Missouri Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill passed the Senate Commerce Committee. It needs a full Senate vote, a House vote and the president’ signature to become law.
In May, the Senate had passed a Coast Guard authorization bill with an amendment renewing the exemption by a vote of 85-12. It was sponsored by McCaskill, a Democrat, and supported by Blunt, a Republican. A similar measure was sponsored in the House by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio).
The Delta Queen enjoyed a series of exemptions for decades until October 2008, when the last one ran out. Since then, a host of backers have sought to restore the vessel and return it to river cruising.
During the hearings, news emerged of previously unreported opposition to the exemption renewal from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to Roll Call, Benjamin Cassidy, the DHS Assistant secretary for legislative affairs, wrote to members of the House Transportation and Senate Commerce committees: “Because of the advanced age, construction and configuration of the steamer Delta Queen, the vessel presents an unacceptable degree of fire safety risk to its passengers and crew.” The letter was sent on June 28, 2017 but had not been previously reported until May.
In addition, Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, the Coast Guard’s assistant commandant for prevention policy, told a House panel May 3, “We do not support an exemption for any vessel that would increase the risk, particularly of fire at sea,” according to Roll Call.
In June, the Jefferson County (Mo.) Port Authority asked the St. Louis Engineer District for permission to prepare facilities in Kimmswick, Mo., to support the historic riverboat. The permit application says the port authority “plans to revitalize a riverfront development site near Kimmswick…that was formerly used to operate steamboat cruises.”