The Conference Committee Report contains Capital Budget wins for ports

The Conference Committee Report has a lot of good news in it for public port districts this year- it is perhaps the most comprehensive set of wins for ports in recent memory. This is reflective not only of the hard work your WPPA governmental advocates have done this year, but also all the effort you’ve put in to assist our efforts. Here is a quick run-down of the key port-focused items:

MTCA Budget – WPPA’s top budget priority, Remedial Action Grants, are fully funded in Conference Committee report.  The port team notches another win!  A big thank you goes out to all of our members who made this happen. 

Boating Facilities Program Budget – The Conference Committee report provides $14.9 million for grants to acquire, develop and renovate boating facilities, including boat launches and ramps, transient moorage and upland boating support facilities.  The program administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office is supported by the state gasoline tax revenue attributable to recreational boating.

Derelict Vessel Removal Program Budget – The Derelict Vessel program receives $3 million in the Conference Committee report.  We had hoped that $4.5 million would be appropriated.  These funds are used to remove high-priority derelict vessels and vessels of concern in marine and fresh waters. 

Aquatic Lands Enhancement – In a big turnaround, funding for port projects at Kingston and Anacortes is restored!  The Conference Committee report provides $9.1 million for projects located on or adjacent to state-owned aquatic lands throughout Washington. The program supports projects that:  1) re-establish natural, self-sustaining ecological functions of the waterfront; 2) provide or restore public access to the water; and 3) increase public awareness of aquatic lands. 

Community Aviation Revitalization Loan Program – Again, port priorities are supported by the legislature.  The Conference Committee report  provides $5 million for the program during the 2021-2023 biennium; extending the 2018 Community Aviation Revitalization Loan Program.

Community Economic Revitalization Board Infrastructure Development – And again!  The Conference Committee report goes beyond both the Senate and House budget proposals by allocating $50 million for the CERB program.  In their original budgets the Senate proposed $25 million, while the House proposed $40 million.  CERB finances publicly owned economic development infrastructure improvements via low-cost infrastructure financing.

Broadband Infrastructure- The Conference Committee report provides approximately $390 million for broadband infrastructure to be administered among the Office of Broadband, the Public Works Board, and CERB.