One year after it was suspended, the broadly supported Inland Waterways Users Board remains in limbo months after it was approved to resume operations.
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May 7, 2021 By Jim Myers
Washington, D.C. A review panel has been conducted on the Inland Waterways Users Board (IWUB), possibly a key step in returning the suspended board to active status.
That zero-based review of the IWUB and other Department of Defense advisory committees was directed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin three months ago.
In the same January 30 memorandum to senior Pentagon leadership and others, Austin also directed the immediate suspension of all advisory committee operations until the review was completed unless directed by him or his deputy defense secretary.
Austin also used his memo to acknowledge the important role advisory committees play in shaping department policies, but added the review will focus their efforts “to align with our most pressing strategic priorities and the National Defense Strategy.”
February 19, 2021 By Jim Myers
Washington, D.C. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offered assurances the Inland Waterways Users Board is not being eliminated or revamped despite being suspended along with other advisory committees by the Department of Defense.
“We do not believe that is the case,” Corps spokesman Eugene Pawlik said in a written statement.
“The Inland Waterways Users Board is a legislated advisory committee, subject to FACA (Federal Advisory Committee Act), so it cannot be abolished without Congressional action.”
Pawlik also pointed out even the “criteria to qualify for membership is in the law, and we are unaware of any effort to revamp this advisory committee.”