INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Washington Public Port Association’s monthly interim report, the August 2021 edition. This report is designed to keep you posted about your Association’s activities after legislative session concludes. 

WPPA has continued to meet with many ports across the state, and it has been wonderful to see and talk to so many of you in person. We continue to schedule visits to ports, and we’d love to hear from you if you haven’t yet met with staff from WPPA.

The 2021 legislative session saw the allocation of federal and state funds to programs designed to help communities and strengthen the economy. The Department of Commerce houses numerous programs that received an infusion of funding, in areas like manufacturing, infrastructure, and business development.  WPPA will host Director Lisa Brown and some of her leadership team at a Tuesday Roundtable on September 28th at 11am.  They will present information about programs that ports will be able to access. You can register here.

WPPA is beginning the process of identifying legislative priorities for the 2022 session.  If you have ideas for the advocacy team, please send Victoria Lincoln, Gerry O’Keefe, or Chris Herman an email with details.  The WPPA Legislative Committee will analyze all issues brought forth over the next couple of months, and the Trustees will adopt a final legislative agenda at the Annual Meeting in early December.

ISSUES

Department of Ecology Environmental Review Study – Required by House Bill 1091, the agency is required to convene stakeholders to discuss improvements to the State Environmental Policy Act.  The agency stumbled out of the gate, and no date has been set for a first meeting of the group.  A WPPA priority, we are considering an appropriate port representative to the Ecology process.

Derelict vessels – The Department of Natural Resources has asked WPPA to join the Recreational Boaters Association of Washington and the Northwest Marine Trade Association to secure an additional $5 million for derelict vessel removal.  We are looking forward to working with these partners.

Puget Sound Dredged Material Disposal Fees – DNR has asked for feedback from ports as the agency prepares to raise disposal fees.  WPPA seeks to limit the amount of the increase and to minimize the impact on small port districts.

Blocking Toxic Site Cleanup – The Department of Ecology believes it is required by law to block grant awards for cleanup projects that have not been fully permitted.  WPPA and member ports are working with the agency to develop a solution.  Key legislators are aware of the problem and have expressed a willingness to help as needed.

Permitting Maintenance projects in Puget Sound – The National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers remain deadlocked and permits are not being issued for projects.  NMFS is processing a batch of Biological Opinions for a limited number of ports, but the Corps controls permitting.  Representatives Kilmer and Herrera Beutler are collaborating on a bipartisan letter to the Biden Administration seeking a remedy.

Vessel noise – Senator Lovelett, Representative Lekanoff and Representative Shewmake are considering legislation that would require mitigation for vessel noise in Puget Sound.  WPPA is collaborating with the Pacific Marine Shipping Association, the Northwest Seaport Alliance and others to ensure the legislators are well informed should they continue to pursue this policy.

JTC Interim Short Line Rail Study - The Joint Transportation Committees (JTC) have launched work on updating the Washington State Short Line Rail Inventory & Needs Assessment. The Study was funded through legislative proviso during the 2021 legislative session. Due to the importance of rail to port districts WPPA has been granted a seat on the study’s Stakeholder Panel. If you have questions about the study or are interested in ways you can provide input, please contact Chris Herman at WPPA. Look for future information on how you can participate in this important effort.

I-5 Bridge River Navigation Survey now open- The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program continues its work on virtually building the bridge we need to replace the current 104 year old structure (at least the northbound span) crossing the Columbia River in Vancouver. A River Navigation Survey is currently seeking your input. Click here to take the survey. For more information and to find additional ways to participate please visit the Interstate Bridge page at interstatebridge.org.

Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) seeks stakeholder participation on State Rail Action Plan - UTC is beginning work on the development of the State Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Action Plan (SAP) and they are seeking stakeholder input. The SAP will address existing laws and rules, existing issues and concerns, incident and accident data, crossing improvement options and possible sources for funding improvements. The first meeting will be held virtually on September 21 between 1pm – 4pm. If you’d like to learn more or register as a stakeholder please contact Betty Young for more details. Betty.young@utc.wa.gov. 

Truck Parking Action Plan under way - Another JTC effort, designed to prioritize and resolve truck parking issues statewide, has begin its work. The Truck Parking Action Plan has begun. WPPA will sit on the work group and will actively seek input from our membership statewide on this important topic. Look for further information in the coming weeks and in the meantime please contact Chris Herman if you have any questions about this planning effort.