ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) today welcomed news that the House-Senate conference committee has completed negotiations and issued its report on the long-awaited and critically-needed water resources development legislation. Upon learning the 2014 Water Resources and Reform Development Act (WRRDA) is on its way to Congress for approval, AAPA immediately sent appreciation and congratulations to conference committee leaders Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) for their bipartisan leadership in bringing a negotiated water resources bill to the floor of Congress.
Both Sen. Boxer and Rep. Shuster and were jointly named AAPA’s “Port Person of the Year” in March for advancing this crucial legislation, although both chose to wait to receive their award until the bill made it successfully out of conference for a final vote of Congress.
In addition to Rep. Shuster and Sen. Boxer, AAPA lauded Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member David Vitter (R-LA), together with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member (Nick) Rahall (D-WV), House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman (Bob) Gibbs (R-OH) and Ranking Member (Tim) Bishop (D-NY), for their unified support in moving this important bill toward a floor vote.
“Having waited seven long years since passage of the last water resources authorization bill, our U.S. member ports are extremely pleased to see a final reauthorization bill,” said AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle. “Our nation desperately needs this water resources legislation to fortify our infrastructure, create and maintain good-paying U.S. jobs, grow our economy and enhance America's international competitiveness.”
The bipartisan water resources legislation has a number of provisions that address the needs of America’s seaports. In particular, it:
- Establishes a pathway to full use of the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT);
- Addresses HMT donor equity;
- Modernizes the maintenance dredging cost-share threshold;
- Authorizes new navigation channel improvements;
- Expedites the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ navigation channel study completion process;
- Quickens the pace of project completions by enhancing partnerships.
“The bottom line,” said Mr. Nagle, “is this WRRDA bill will help enable the United States to enhance its maritime infrastructure and strengthen its position as a world leader in global trade. AAPA thanks the bipartisan leadership and urges swift final passage and enactment.”
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