[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 98 (Monday, June 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 28, 2010

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to 
introduce the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Improvement Act of 2010. 
This bill would strengthen our national economy and international 
competitiveness.
  Our harbors are economic engines for our nation. Because more than 95 
percent of overseas trade moves in and out of the United States by 
ship, harbor infrastructure is vital to the American economy.
  Moreover, our harbors create a substantial amount of revenue through 
the Harbor Maintenance Tax. The tax is imposed on importers and 
domestic shippers based upon the value of their cargo and is deposited 
in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
  Fund money is designated for recovering operation and maintenance 
costs at US coastal and Great Lakes Harbors, particularly for dredging. 
Yet, our harbors only receive a fraction of the revenue they create. 
Revenue deposited into the fund far exceeds transfers out of the fund. 
This lead to a balance of almost $5 billion at the end of fiscal year 
2009.
  At the same time, the global economic crisis has hit our harbors and 
many are struggling to make ends meet. It is only fair to give back to 
our harbors in their times of need. That's why the Harbor Maintenance 
Trust Fund Improvement Act would expand our harbors' ability to make 
use of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund money. The bill would allow them 
to use the revenue they create not only for maintenance and dredging 
needs but also for the costs of Environmental Impact Statements for 
navigation projects.
  Environmental Impact Statements art required whenever the Corps of 
Engineers is involved in harbor maintenance and development efforts. 
The Statements serve the federal mission of taking environmental 
effects of a project into account. Use of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund 
resources for this purpose is appropriate and long overdue. Harbors 
would be relieved of these costs, while the federal mission of 
assessing the environmental impact of such projects is strengthened.
  Please join me in helping our harbors with this sensitive relief. I 
urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important 
bill.

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