washington port issues

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 Directorkristin.meira@pnwa.net

Opportunities to Stay Informed

Website:www.pnwa.net Nor’wester newsletter