13
Washington Port Issues Washington State Freight Advisory Committee Seattle, WA December 9, 2013
Washington Port Issues
Washington State Freight Advisory CommitteeSeattle, WA
December 9, 2013
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) is:Non-profit trade association that advocates for federal policies & funding in support of regional economic developmentOver 130 members in WA, OR, ID, and CA, including:
Public ports and municipalitiesAgriculture and forest products producersUtilitiesTowboaters, steamship operators, river pilots and bar pilots
Port of Chinook
Port of Ilwaco
Washington’sPorts
…A Microcosm of
the National Ports
Community
Deep draft navigation
• Puget Sound• Lower Columbia River
Small ports
• Puget Sound• Lower Columbia River
Inland navigation
• Columbia Snake River System
The Bottom Line …Ports and Navigation Stakeholders are Competing
for a Steadily Shrinking Federal Pie
Congress’ Ability of Improve Corps Budgets Has Been Reduced
History of Congressionally-directed project funding
FY2011 – Agency work plan at FY2010 spending levels
FY2012 - “Additional funding” in House & Senate bills
FY2013 – “Additional funding” in House & Senate bills … … year-long CR & sequestration = no additional funding
FY2014 – Shutdown, CR … more to come in January
The Fix: Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF)
Tax on the value of imports & domestic cargo
Intended to fund 100% of deep draft and coastal O&M – dredging, jetties, etc.
Since 2003, only about half of collections have been spent
Unspent “surplus” is over $8B … can’t be recouped
Port of Ilwaco
Port of Vancouver
Port of Seattle
Senate WRDA Approach
Phased in approach to full spending in 2020Prioritizes High Use Deep Draft (HUDD) Ports , Great LakesAddresses cargo diversion
Provides rebate for “donor ports” Allows for expanded uses
Berth dredging, contaminated sedimentFalls short for small ports
No funding until HUDD projects fully maintained
House WRRDA Approach
Phased in approach – reaches 80% of annual receipts in 2020Expanded uses at outset
5% for berth dredging, contaminated sedimentSmall port set aside up front
10% for first two years, future consideration
Maritime Goods Movement Act
Comprehensive solution for all ports Establishes Maritime Goods Movement Fee, replaces HMTFEnsures full use of annual receiptsRestores a level playing field for U.S. portsProvides funding for “super donor” portsEstablishes DOT grant program to invest in intermodal infrastructurePermanent small port set aside up front
Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF)
Olmsted Lock & Dam, Ohio River
20 cent/gallon diesel taxCollected from towboaters on Columbia/Snake, Mississippi, Ohio and other inland waterwaysIntended to fund 50% of inland construction and major rehabsCurrent needs exceed collections
Stakeholder proposals: Increase fuel tax Revise cost-share formulaImprove Corps project delivery process
Administration proposals:Keep fuel taxImpose lockage or towboat fees
Tidewater tow in McNary navlock, Columbia River
Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF)
PNWA: working with Portland & Walla Walla districtsGoals:
Anticipate repair needsProtect reliability of systemMinimize NW need to draw on IWTF
Little Goose navlock, Snake River
Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF)
Kristin MeiraExecutive [email protected]
Opportunities to Stay Informed
Website:www.pnwa.net Nor’wester newsletter
