December 23, 2020 3:15 a.m.

Congressman Peter DeFazio called the passage of his bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020, a major win for Oregon’s coastal communities.

DeFazio, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said the legislation includes a provision to ensure that Harbor Maintenance funds are actually used for harbor maintenance. The measure now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

DeFazio said for decades, he as fought to unlock the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and ensure that funds already collected for harbor maintenance are fully utilized to keep local ports dredged and jetties maintained. He said finally the newly approved legislation fulfills that goal.

DeFazio said, “With this fix, our ports and harbors will have the resources they so desperately need, all without raising taxes or adding a penny to the deficit”. He said his bill will create and sustain jobs on the coast, make conditions safer for Oregon’s commercial fishing and recreation industries, and boost the economic competitiveness of both the state and the nation.

DeFazio said by unlocking the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, the legislation will ultimately provide up to $3 billion annually for port maintenance around the country, including in Oregon.

For more information about the legislation, go to: https://transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2020-12-21%20WRDA%202020%20Conference%20Agreement_Omnibus%20Fact%20Sheet%20FINAL.pdf