Waterways Transportation Development and Improvement Act of 1981

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Waterways Transportation Development and Improvement Act of 1981 - Title I: Findings, Declaration of Purposes, and Definitions - Declares that Congress finds it in the national interest to maintain and develop a viable marine transportation system within the United States, including a network of commercial deep-draft seaports, inland shallow-draft ports, and a multipurpose domestic waterway system to accommodate the needs of the foreign and domestic commerce, promote economic stability, and provide for national security. Title II: Cost Recovery - Imposes specified tonnage charges on all international commerce commodities at the time of entry into or exit from the United States in order to recover all costs associated with operation and maintenance expenditures of the Army Corps of Engineers directly allocated and attributable to commercial navigation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate a rate system sufficient to cover such costs. Requires that such charges shall be deposited in the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (hereafter known as the National Waterways Trust Fund). Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to utilize such funds fo…