Larsen Secures Key Wins for Northwest Washington's Maritime Infrastructure in Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act

Press Release

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) applauded House-passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022), legislation to authorize critical investments in Northwest Washington ports, inland waterways, flood management systems, ecosystems and other water resources infrastructure. WRDA 2022 passed the House of Representatives by a final vote of 384 to 37 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

"You cannot have a big-league maritime economy with little league infrastructure," said Larsen, a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "This year's Water Resources Development Act makes robust investments in Washington's maritime infrastructure to keep the U.S. maritime system competitive and resilient, create well-paying maritime jobs and ensure a healthy environment in the Pacific Northwest."

Washington state's maritime sector employs more than 69,500 people and generates over $21.4 billion in revenue and $4.7 billion in wages annually, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce.

WRDA 2022 includes several of Larsen's priorities to boost federal resources for critical habitat restoration, improve accessibility for Northwest Washington's ports and build cleaner and greener maritime infrastructure:

Protect and Restore Puget Sound

* Larsen successfully included language to expand Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to fund and complete more Puget Sound environmental mitigation projects.
* Larsen also included language to enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to apply cost-share formulas for Puget Sound Estuary Restoration Projects.

Local Port Modernization

* Adding a connector channel at the Port of Everett will ensure timely first responder and law enforcement activities and preserve access to Tribal grounds. Larsen successfully included language to initiate the Port's boat launch connector channel project.

Strengthen Snohomish County Water Infrastructure

* The relocation of Everett's water supply pipeline at Ebey Slough Marsh would move it away from a seismic and flood risk area while maximizing tidal restoration. Larsen successfully included language to authorize $56 million for water and wastewater infrastructure, including water supply in Snohomish County.

Boost Resiliency in Northwest Washington Counties

* Larsen successfully included language to authorize $200 million for environmental assistance to Washington state counties, including Snohomish, Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Move Howard A. Hanson Dam Project Forward

* The authorization of the Director's Report is needed to move to the construction phase of the project and completion of Phase I of the Howard A. Hanson Dam Additional Water Storage Project, a multi-phase effort to reopen at least 60 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat above the dam and improve flood mitigation. Larsen worked with members of Washington's Congressional delegation to successfully include language in WRDA 2022 to move the project forward.

Additional WRDA 2022 Priorities

* Improve Water Infrastructure: WRDA authorizes the study and construction of locally driven projects developed in cooperation and consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
* Keep Economy Moving: WRDA strengthens the national economy through robust investment in ports, harbors and inland waterways to increase efficiency and support supply chains.
* Build More Resilient Communities: WRDA invests in restoring natural infrastructure and ensuring new infrastructure helps to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, extreme weather, sea-level rise and other challenges posed by climate change.
* Boost Global Competitiveness: WRDA ensures efficient and effective use of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund dollars unlocked by the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 to dredge waterways and keep U.S. ports and harbors globally competitive.
* Address All Communities' Water Infrastructure Needs: WRDA directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to increase coordination with Tribal, indigenous and economically disadvantaged communities to ensure water resources development needs are met nationwide.

Larsen a Longtime Champion of Northwest Washington's Maritime Systems

Larsen has long championed Northwest Washington's maritime systems in previous WRDAs. In 2020, Larsen successfully included provisions to expand funding availability for Puget Sound restoration, expedite future development at the Port of Anacortes and level the playing field for medium-size donor ports like the Port of Everett. In 2018, Larsen successfully included language to significantly increase federal funding for the Puget Sound Adjacent Waters Restoration program (PSAW) to support ecosystem restoration in the Sound.

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