Item No. 11a
www.portseattle.org                   Date of Meeting:  December 8, 2020


PRIORITY AGENDA ITEMS
HARBOR MAINTENANCE TAX (HMT) REFORM      NATIONAL FREIGHT POLICY AND FUNDING
Support reform of the HMT to ensure U.S. tax policy          Support implementation and increased federal funding
does not disadvantage U.S. ports and to provide            for a strengthened national multimodal freight strategy
greater equity for HMT donor ports through expanded     and related grant programs, including continued
use of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund revenues. Seek      authorization and funding for the TIGER/BUILD
$50 million appropriation for the "donor port" HMT          discretionary grant program. Support establishing a
rebate program authorized under Section 2106 of the      sustainable funding source for freight infrastructure
2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act to     and ensure user fee proposals 1) do not hurt the
compensate for the current structure and impacts of        competitiveness of the Northwest trade corridor relative
the HMT.                                              to others in North America; 2) are mode neutral; and 3)
TERMINAL 5 MODERNIZATION PROJECT          funds should spent on improvements that benefit users
who pay the fees and not diverted to other uses.
Support federal funding for the Terminal 5                   SAFE AND EFFICIENT CARGO SCREENING
Modernization Project to meet changing container
industry requirements, ensure the long-term                Support adequate Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
competitiveness of the gateway and meet our               staffing levels to ensure efficient movement of cargo
environmental and community goals.                      through the Puget Sound gateway. The port seeks
FISHING FLEET MODERNIZATION               increased federal funding for CBP staffing at maritime
ports of entry and reforms to expedite the hiring of
Advocate for reforms to NOAA's Fisheries Finance           new CBP officers. Pursue efforts to ensure the federal
Program (FFP) that would remove prohibitions on          government resumes responsibility for funding CBP
loans and loan guarantees for the construction             services, equipment and facility development.
and reconstruction of fishing vessels and that               TRADE POLICY ADVANCEMENT
would include safeguards that prevent overfishing,
including limitations on the use of replaced vessels in       Support policies that level playing fields for
international fisheries. Support increasing the FFP loan      international commerce while protecting workers and
authority, which is presently $100 million annually;          the environment. The port believes tariffs should be a
support other policies and programs that improve          measure of last resort and, when necessary, be carefully
access to financing in order to facilitate modernization      and narrowly targeted to minimize impacts on American
of the North Pacific fleet.                                       producers and consumers. Tariff collection revenues
SEATTLE AND TACOMA HARBOR DEEPENING      should be prioritized toward trade promotion, freight
infrastructure, and programs that lessen retaliatory tariff
Secure appropriation for design and construction to            losses by U.S. exporters.
deepen the federal channels serving T-18, T-30, and T-5
in Seattle. Support the feasibility study on deepening
channels in Tacoma Harbor.

PUGET SOUND RESTORATION                  WELCOMING AND COMPETITIVE IMMIGRATION
POLICIES
Support increased federal resources for Puget Sound
and Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) restoration,       We will be a leading voice on immigration policies that
including funding to support habitat restoration,             ensure the port, its partners and its customers have the
to manage predation of Chinook and other species           workforce to succeed in the global economy, and that
critical to SRKW recovery, to help cleanup legacy              immigrants and refugees are fully welcomed into the
sources of contaminants that affect SRKW, and to             opportunities that our region's economy provides.
manage stormwater runoff. Support appropriations
for the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration        HIRAM M. CHITTENDEN LOCKS FUNDING
Project, the National Estuary Program, the Puget Sound
Support funding for continued federal operation and
Geographic Program and the Pacific Coastal Salmon
maintenance of the locks, as well as additional funding
Recovery Fund.
for priority, non-routine maintenance.
ADDITIONAL PRIORITY ISSUE AREAS
DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS, DERA, AND      HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Partner with federal agencies to improve human
Support authorization and full funding for the EPA            trafficking prevention and intervention efforts.
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program,
which provides funding for emissions reduction              PEBBLE MINE AT BRISTOL BAY
programs. Advocate for federal programs that support        The EPA has determined the proposed Pebble Mine
electrification and alternative fuel use at ports.                 at Bristol Bay would jeopardize one of the world's last
Encourage the establishment of international standards      wild salmon nurseries, a finding the fishing industry has
and strategies to reduce maritime sector emissions           endorsed. The Port of Seattle opposes mining activity
through the International Maritime Organization.             and other development proposals in the Bristol Bay
OIL TRAIN SAFETY                             watershed that put Bristol Bay fisheries at risk.
Support efforts to increase oil train safety standards           OFFSHORE DRILLING
and to provide resources to communities to address          Offshore drilling threatens our state's fishing and tourism
hazardous fuel incidents.                                     industries and puts wildlife habitat at risk. The Port of
JONES ACT                                   Seattle opposes offshore oil and gas drilling in both state
and federal waters off the coastline of Washington state.
Support the Jones Act and its crucial role in providing the
institutional framework that helps keep the U.S. domestic
maritime industry viable. Maintain limited flexibility to                For more information on the Port of Seattle's 
grant waivers from Jones Act regulations in extraordinary             federal legislative agenda, contact:
cases when domestic shipping capacity is insufficient to              Ryan McFarland
respond to a given need and when Puget Sound domestic          Port of Seattle
maritime stakeholders validate that a waiver is necessary             Federal Government Relations Manager
to support the vitality of their industry.                                  (206) 787-3014 | McFarland.R@portseattle.org

STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR PORT
Sign up for email and Te xtupdates at our web page or follow us on social media
www.portseattle.org/sub scribe | @PortofSeattle | @FlySEA              Last updated 7/31/2020