Program Discription: In order to carry out its missions, the Coast Guard employs multipurpose vessels, aircraft, and shore units. These resources are strategically located along the coasts and inland waterways of the United States and in selected areas overseas. Effect of Budget Request on Program: The President's budget request represents a reduction in constant dollars for operating expenses. The President's budget request calls for an overall reduction of 620 military and 213 civilian Coast Guard personnel. These personnel reductions are to be made through reductions in the commercial vessel safety program, cuts in training, cuts in administrative costs, and planned contracting through the A-76 process. The budget includes a plan to close nine search and rescue stations on the Great Lakes, and reduce operations at four others to achieve 24% of the military personnel reduction. The funds requested for operating expenses are not sufficient to comply with the personnel floor established in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984 (PL 98-557). For the first time, a portion ($58 million) of the operating expenses appropriation would be derived from the Fisheries Loan Fund. Program Description: This program provides for the major acquisition, construction, and improvement of vessels, aircraft, and shore units, and to aids to navigation, excluding minor acquisitions, alterations, additions, renewals, and replacements funded in the operating expenses. The President's budget Effect of Budget Request on Program: request includes funds for the continuation of the Coast Guard's existing procurements, such as the renovation of the fleet of 378' high endurance cutters and 210' medium endurance cutters, and the procurement of new short range helicopters. It does not include funds for the procurement, maintenance and operation of a fleet of at least 27 long-range search and surveillance aircraft, as required in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984 (PL 98-557). It does not include funds which would enable the Coast Guard to comply with the requirement in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984 that not less than 30 high and medium endurance cutters be available in the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It does not include funds for the maintenance of a fleet of five polar icebreakers. Instead, the President's budget proposal includes funds for 25 long range search and surveillance aircraft, 28 or 29 high and medium endurance cutters, and 4 polar icebreakers. Program Description: This program provides the Government's share of the costs for altering or removing bridges determined to be obstructions to navigation. Generally, bridges to be altered were built with what are now insufficient vertical and/or horizontal clearances for free navigation of the waters of the United States. Effect of Budget Request on Program: The President's budget request includes funds for the alteration of the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge over the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. |