Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR) today voted in favor of the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), a bill authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain and develop our nation’s port and waterways infrastructure needs and support affected and targeted flood protection and environmental restoration needs. The House passed the bill with a bipartisan vote of 417 to 3.
“It is uplifting to see a bill pass through the House that is focused on putting folks to work,” Rep Schrader said. “This legislation is vital to the future health of Oregon’s small ports and waterways and our coastal communities that rely on them for the local job and economic opportunities they provide. This is also a big win for regional ports and harbors in our state, which will be able to rely on stable funding for the operation and maintenance of their commercial businesses.
“Investing in our infrastructure is the one of the smartest investments the federal government can make right now to create lasting positive economic impacts in our communities for years to come, and I hope we continue to do so.”
WRRDA would increase spending of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund starting at 65% in 2014 gradually increasing to 80% in 2020. Additionally, the bill includes a provision mandating 10% be set aside for small ports, classified as less than one million tons of commercial cargo, for two years. This is especially significant for Oregon’s coastal ports, which have seen little to no funding in recent Army Corps budgets.
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