[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 62 (Thursday, April 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE PORT OF BENTON RESTRICTION RELEASE ACT OF 2016

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                           HON. DAN NEWHOUSE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2016

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my legislation, 
the Port of Benton Restriction Release Act of 2016. This legislation 
will lift the conveyance restrictions on a 71.5 acre parcel of land 
that was deeded to the Port of Benton (Port) in 1996 by the United 
States Maritime Administration (MARAD). The Port acquired this parcel 
of land as part of an effort to transfer excess and unneeded land from 
the ``Former 3000 Area'' of the Hanford nuclear reservation, located in 
the Tri-Cities region of Central Washington, back to the local 
communities. Recently, the Port has explored economic development 
opportunities on this parcel, however the existing conveyance 
restrictions have inhibited their ability to develop the land for the 
economic benefit of the Tri-Cities region.
  In recent years, there has been an increase in economic activity near 
this property, including over $70 million in investments, the creation 
of the Manhattan Project National Historic Park in 2014, and the 
transfer of 1,641 acres of Hanford land back to the local communities 
for further economic and industrial development. The Port of Benton has 
targeted uses for this land that include clean energy manufacturing, 
bio products, solar array, and industrial operations, which could yield 
investments of $1 billion for the local communities and the creation of 
1,500 jobs for the region.
  However, the conveyance restrictions on this property have inhibited 
the Port's ability to attract private and small businesses to make 
investments in the Former Hanford 3000 Area. These restrictions require 
that all sub-leases over five years on the property be submitted to 
MARAD for approval. Additionally, the Port is required to submit annual 
reports to MARAD for the parcel.
  This important legislation will release all remaining federal deed 
restrictions on the 71.5 acre property, which will allow the Port of 
Benton and the surrounding communities to continue their hard work to 
create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and retain a skilled workforce 
in the area, and this parcel of land is a critical component of this 
effort. For these reasons I urge my colleagues to support this 
commonsense legislation, which will have a positive and lasting impact 
on the economic viability and competitiveness of the Tri-Cities region.

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