[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 45 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE PORT REVITALIZATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 27, 1996

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing 
legislation to address the nationwide problem of disposing of 
contaminated sediments that accumulate in our ports. This bill is 
entitled ``the Port Revitalization Act of 1996. I am pleased to have 
joining me as original cosponsors Representatives Frank Pallone, Dick 
Zimmer, and Rodney Frelinghuysen.
  Ports around the country must continually dredge their channels to 
ensure the safe passage of ships to their berths. If these channels are 
not dredged, oil tankers, container ships, and even passenger ships 
face the risk of running aground. While dredging has been a common 
practice for decades, the presence of contaminants in the mud at the 
bottom of our harbors now prevents the use of the ocean for disposal of 
a significant amount of dredged material.
  This problem is especially acute in the Port of New York/New Jersey. 
Almost none of the 6 million cubic yards of required maintenance 
dredging will occur this year. Large container ships are now either 
scraping bottom or waiting for high tide to dock, and some shipping 
lines are already diverting their cargo to ports to Canada.
  The Port Revitalization Act has several important features to address 
dredging crises at ports around the country. First, it expands the use 
of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, which currently has a $500 
million surplus, to allow it to be used for more than just the 
operation and maintenance expenses of Federal channels. This 
legislation allows the Fund to be used for the actual disposal of 
dredged material and for the construction of confined disposal 
facilities required for the safe disposal of dredged material, such as 
subaqueous pits, containment islands, and upland disposal options.
  Second, under current law, the Federal Government can participate 
only in the ocean disposal of dredged sediment at a cost sharing ratio 
with a local sponsor of 65/35. This legislation offers a Federal cost 
sharing mechanism for the upland disposal of dredged material, as well 
as the construction of confined disposal facilities.
  Third, this legislation reauthorizes, and increases funding for, the 
decontamination technology pilot study now underway by the 
Environmental Protection Agency. We must continue to invest in dredged 
sediment decontamination technology to make the material eligible 
either for beneficial upland use--golf courses, parking lots, etc., or 
ocean disposal.
  Finally, this legislation authorizes a dredged material containment 
facility for the Port of New York/New Jersey, subject to the findings 
of the Army Corps of Engineers' Dredged Materials Management Plan for 
the Port of New York and New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation has bipartisan support, as well as 
support from businesses, labor groups, State and local governments, and 
environmental groups. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this 
legislation.

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