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Home My WebLink AboutRes2011-022 Sponsored by: Oates CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2011 -022 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, IN SUPPORT OF ESTABLISHING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING IN THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, PACIFIC OCEAN DIVISION, CIVIL WORKS PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City of Seward recognizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) has been the central governmental agency for the development of water - related infrastructure throughout the Nation and has established a comprehensive process to identify, evaluate, and fund projects related to navigation, safe harbor, flood control, erosion control, and water supply; and WHEREAS, the ACOE, Pacific Ocean Division includes Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Island Territories all of which have economies highly dependent upon port infrastructure; and WHEREAS, Congress suspended use of congressionally - directed spending and now only funds projects identified through a scoring system which favors urban ports; and WHEREAS, the rural coastal communities of the Pacific Ocean Division do not have the population to compete with urban ports, yet are highly dependent on waterborne commerce; and I wo WHEREAS, there may be a mechanism within the Energy & Water appropriations bill to recognize the unique circumstances of coastal rural communities of the ACOE, Pacific Ocean Division; and WHEREAS, projects in need of funding include breakwaters, wave barriers, dredging, mooring basins, and flood /erosion control. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, THAT: Section 1. The City of Seward encourages the United States Congress to amend fiscal year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill and the Fiscal Year 2013 President's Budget Request to include a set -aside of $50 million annually for use within the Pacific Ocean Division to develop and sustain water infrastructure in the small coastal communities of the region. Section 2. The City of Seward requests the Army Corps of Engineers be charged with the responsibility of working with the States, territorial governments, and local communities to prioritize projects throughout the Pacific Ocean Division region and be granted the discretion to investigate, evaluate, plan, and provide funding continuity for projects identified within its priority list. Law Section 3. This resolution shall take effect April 11, 2011. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION YEAR -022 PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 11` day of April, 2011. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA (.1 71 Bob Valdatta, Councilmember AYES: Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Valdatta NOES: None ABSENT: Smith, Bardarson, Dunham ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: tiJ is „ i c _..L`i A / G2 � �� h vt—P—t Johanna Ki P CMC City Clerk s ®V SE� ♦ ♦i (City . ° +`.....rq. �♦ ♦I ■ NI 4 e. " '. �.L r ®a • _ .ems— . • �n °•gyp �� ;.,� t` s � • • • ♦ 4 4 , 9 4 . OFP 4 0 % Olean a Agenda Statement Meeting Date: April 11, 2011 a of set, To: Phillip Oates, City Manager " 4 From: Kari Anderson, Harbormaster 1 4.4% - Sw°' Agenda Item: A Resolution in support of establishing water infrastructure funding in the Pacific Ocean Division within the Army Corps of Engineers. BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The United States Congress has recently decided to suspend the use of congressionally- directed spending within appropriations bills while it grapples with the Federal deficit. This moratorium will make it impossible for Alaskan coastal communities to seek funding assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers to build breakwaters, wave barriers, flood control and erosion control features, dredging of new, expanded or improved harbors, or local water supply projects. The communities of Hawaii and the Pacific Island territories also face these difficulties. Under the moratorium on congressionally- directed spending, only projects which are identified in the President's Budget Request are eligible for funding. Projects contained in the President's Request are identified through a scoring system which favors the more developed ports of major urban areas. Rural coastal communities do not have the population base to compete within a scoring system that provides a bias towards large cargo volumes and urban populations. Rural communities, however, are more economically dependent on waterborne commerce in relation to the rest of their local and regional economies than the large urban areas, which have more diversified economies. A mechanism must be developed within the Army Corps budget to recognize the unique circumstances of the rural communities of Alaska, Hawaii, and the Island territories. Army Corps officials have stated Alaskan coastal communities should have a unified voice in advocating for federal funding for water infrastructure projects. The Corps has also stated that Alaskans will have a bigger impact on the national budget discussion if the State of Alaska also becomes more active in the planning, prioritization, and funding of this water infrastructure. The Corps believes that a proposed Federal- State -Local partnership presents a strong argument to the Congress and the Administration in seeking a dedicated source of funding for coastal Alaskan water infrastructure. The Fiscal Year 2012 Energy & Water appropriations bill and the Fiscal Year 2013 President's Budget Request should be amended to include a set -aside of $50 million annually for use within the Pacific Ocean Division to develop and sustain water infrastructure in the small coastal communities of the region. The Army Corps would be charged with the responsibility of working with the States, territorial governments, and local communities to prioritize projects throughout the Pacific Ocean Division region. Projects to be funded would include breakwaters, wave barriers, dredging of navigation channels and mooring basins required as part of new harbor construction or harbor improvement projects, removal of barriers to navigation specifically authorized by law, flood control, water supply, and erosion control. �1 INTENT: To support a Federal bill to include $50 million annually for use with in the Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division to develop and sustain water infrastructure in the small coastal communities of the region. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures or Other Plans or Policies: Yes (List Below) No 1. Comprehensive Plan Economic Development, Small Boat Harbor Development, expand and maximize potential of the existing harbor. 2. Strategic Plan Economic Base, Improve and Expand Maritime Facilities: complete eastward expansion of the Small Boat Harbor FISCAL NOTE: This resolution does not have an immediate impact on the City of Seward, however, in the future this federal legislation could assist the Harbor and Seward Marine Industrial Center Enterprise Funds by providing assistance with capital construction, improvement, and deferred maintenance projects. Approved by Finance Department: jtz1A ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X RECOMMENDATION: Council approve Resolution 2011 - aa supporting the establishment of water infrastructure funding in the Pacific Ocean Division within the Army Corps of Engineers. 38