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Senate passes WRDA, bill now heads to the House
Today, the U.S. Senate passed S.601, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2013. WRDA authorizes Army Corps of Engineers projects and policies, and passed by a vote of 83-14. All Members of the Northwest Congressional delegation were supportive of moving the bill, which now heads to the House.
PNWA staff continues to review the bill. However, below you will find our initial thoughts regarding some PNWA priority policies and projects included in the legislation:
Section 214 permanence: Section 214 is the funding authority that allows the Corps to accept funds from non-Federal public entities, like ports, to hire additional regulatory staff to expedite the permitting process. PNWA leads a national coalition to make Section 214 permanent and is pleased to report that language supporting this effort was included in the final version of the bill.
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF): As previously reported, the Manager's Amendment released on May 7th included a phased-in approach to fully spend HMTF collections. Beginning with $1B in FY2014 HMTF expenditures, the bill authorizes adding $100M each fiscal year thereafter until full spending of receipts is achieved in FY2020. In FY2020 and beyond, the bill authorizes that all HMT collected must be provided to the Corps. Using FY2012 HMTF spending levels ($868M) as a baseline for these additional funds, any amount over FY2012 levels would be subject to certain prioritization rules, including expanded uses and rebates for donor states and ports. Great Lakes navigation projects would receive 20% of these additional funds and high use deep draft (HUDD) ports would receive 80%.
One notable change in the final bill is the passage of an amendment sponsored by Sen. Wyden (D-OR) in support of small ports. Once the HUDD ports are fully maintained to their authorized depth and width, "moderate" and "low use" ports that have not received funding in the last six years would be able to receive a portion of the excess funds. The amendment was co-sponsored by Northwest Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF): PNWA recently reported on the IWTF language that was included in the Manager's Amendment of the WRDA bill released on May 7. No additional changes to this section were noted in the final bill.
Lower Columbia River and Tillamook Bay Ecosystem Restoration: The bill raises the authorization level for the Lower Columbia River and Tillamook Bay estuary studies from $30 million to $75 million. These projects are for the protection, monitoring, and restoration of fish and wildlife habitat.
Port of Hood River flowage easement: Language was included in the bill to facilitate recreation and habitat restoration in Hood River by altering portions of the existing flowage easement with the Corps.
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Interactive SAGE Center opens at Port of Morrow in Boardman, OR
On June 1st, the Port of Morrow will celebrate the opening of the SAGE Center, an educational visitor center that focuses on Sustainable Agriculture and Energy within the Port of Morrow and region. The SAGE Center takes each visitor through the technology and practices that help make industries at the Port of Morrow successful. The museum features exhibits on turning potatoes into fries and the use of technology in planting corn, and offers an opportunity to experience Morrow County from a simulated hot air balloon. In addition to the museum facilities, the SAGE center offers school programs and has a 214-seat theater and large prep kitchen which are available to rent.
The Grand Opening for the public is June 1 st and admission to the museum is free for the weekend of June 1 st and 2 nd. The museum is located just of off I-84 at 101 Olson Road, Boardman, OR 97818.For more information, go to www.visitsage.com or contact Kalie Davis. |
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Reminder: register today for PNWA's Summer Conference!
PNWA Summer Conference
June 24th-26th, 2013
Conference at Maple Hall
Lodging at La Conner Channel Lodge & Country Inn
Registration fee: $360 before June 3rd ($385 after June 3rd)
Register for this event by clicking here or by calling (503) 234-8550. We look forward to seeing you there! |
