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Russian warships entered the Barents Sea on Wednesday to rehearse protecting a major shipping lane in the Arctic, its Northern Fleet said on Wednesday, as Moscow stages sweeping military exercises involving all of its fleets.Russian military moves are being closely watched by the West at a time when a troop build-up near its border with Ukraine has sparked fears of a conflict. Moscow has denied it plans to launch an attack on Ukraine.Moscow said last week it would stage a series of drills involving all its fleets in the seas directly adjacent to Russia.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, held a hearing January 12, starting development of a 2022 Water Resources and Development Act. One Subcommittee goal is a new and updated WRDA every two years. Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were guests, making opening remarks and then taking questions from each Subcommittee member.

No, that’s not the clarinet and saxophone sections in the band. New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) released an RFP (request for proposals) on January 7 seeking a “qualified entity to conduct a feasibility study for a world-class, flagship offshore wind research and development (R&D) testing facility as part of the Authority’s strategy to accelerate innovation for the offshore wind industry.” EDA lists three goals for the proposed Institute:Establish NJ as a leader in offshore wind technology research and innovation;Capitalize on the State’s upcoming extensive wind energy investments; and,Kick-start a “robust ecosystem of offshore wind-related innovation activities.

On January 6, the Federal Maritime Commission announced an “Order of Investigation and Hearing” against Wan Hai Lines, Ltd, a vessel-operated common carrier (VOCC). The order charges that Wan Hai failed to “establish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable regulations and practices relating to its assessment of charges on containers when return locations with corresponding appointments were unavailable.”For FMC, a core issue is that some companies may be taking advantage of U.S. port congestion because established VOCC-truck operations are not working. FMC explains that VOCCs notify truckers via email regarding the terminal location of a container.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District is set to receive approximately $278 million under the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA).  Almost $249 million of that is to repair damages caused by the 2019 flood to the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project along the Missouri River (within the district boundary) from Rulo, Neb. to St. Louis, Mo.In addition to Missouri River repairs, several lakes in the Heartland area will benefit from the IIJA.Tuttle Creek Lake in Manhattan, Kan. will receive $15 million to repair rock embankments on the dam and perform other dam maintenance and infrastructure repairs throughout the parks and campgrounds.