Waterside Infrastructure
Navigation channels are an essential component for safe and efficient freight movement, providing access to the sea and to the dock. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is responsible for navigation channel construction and maintenance. Channel deepening is authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation. Several ports have channel improvements authorized by Congress.
Navigation channel maintenance is 100% funded through the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT). Tax revenues are considered sufficient to fully maintain channel depths and widths, but annual appropriations were about half the annual HMT revenue. WRRDA 2014 established funding targets to get to full HMT use by 2025. WRRDA 2014 also addressed tax fairness issues for HMT donor and energy transfer ports. WRDA 2016 made additional improvements to Corps processes.
The Corps’ navigation program is funded in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. AAPA leads efforts with a coalition of navigation supporters to advocate for sufficient Congressional funding. Congress understands the importance of global trade and has provided significant additional funds above the President’s budget request. The Corps publishes an annual work plan documenting the distribution of these programmatic funds.
Appropriations, HMT and WRDA Resources
Additional Resources
Communication and Advocacy Documents
- AAPA 'Fix the HMT' Sign-on Letter – June 26, 2019
- Letter to President Trump and Democratic Leaders on Port Priorities for an Infrastructure Plan – May 7, 2019
- Letter in Support of Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act – April 25,2019
- Full Use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Testimony for T&I Committee Hearing – April 10, 2019
- AAPA FY 2020 Appropriations Requests for Corps Navigation Program Funding – April 1, 2019
- AAPA FY 2020 Appropriations Requests for NOAA PORTS Program Funding – April 1, 2019
- Letter to Senate Appropriators to Fully Utilize the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund – March 29, 2019
- AAPA Comments on the Development of Implementation Guidance for Certain Provisions in WRDA of 2018 – February 12, 2019
- AAPA Letter to House and Senate Appropriators on FY 2019 Corps Navigation Program Funding – August 7, 2018
- AAPA Testimony Before Senate Subcommittee Hearing on Trade and Commerce at U.S. Ports of Entry – July 18, 2018
- AAPA Letter to House Leadership on WRDA 2018 – June 1, 2018
- NOAA Program Funding in FY 2020 Budget Support Letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross – May 9, 2018
- NOAA Program Funding in FY 2019 Appropriations Support Letter – May 3, 2018
- AAPA Letter to House and Senate Appropriators on FY 2019 Corps Navigation Program Funding – March 29, 2018
- AAPA Letter to House and Senate Appropriators on Corps/Infrastructure Funding in FY 2018-19 Appropriations – March 6, 2018
- Infrastructure Coalition Letter on the Nation's Infrastructure Deficit to Congressional Leaders – January 3, 2018
- AAPA Letter to House and Senate Appropriators on FY 2018 Corps Funding – December 15, 2017
- Corps Utility Relocation Policy Letter to MG Jackson – December 6, 2017
- AAPA Conference Letter on Tax Bill Provisions Impacting Ports – December 5, 2017
- AAPA Letter to Senate Leaders Opposing Cruise Tax – November 22, 2017
- Tax Reform Letter to House Ways and Means Committee – November 3, 2017
- Funding Support Letter for FY 2017-18 NOAA Programs – February 22, 2017
