Federal Advisory

The California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference (CMANC) is a consortium of ports, harbors and marine interests in California.

Its mission is to optimize California maritime benefits by providing advocacy for the sustainable maintenance and improvement of California harbors, ports, coastal and navigation projects.

In light of the overwhelmingly positive impact California’s marine interests have on the national economy, Federal funding for construction, maintenance & operations, environmental enhancement & restoration and planning activities continues to fall far short of levels needed to sustain this vital infrastructure.

We support the U.S. economy and international trade, homeland security and the environment. In order to support these missions, California’s seaports and harbors we need:

1. adequate Presidential budget requests, Congressional budget allocations and appropriations to construct and maintain statutorily authorized marine infrastructure, including surface transportation access and land infrastructure, and

2. full execution of the traditional Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works mission with reduction of excessive project permitting delays and project costs.

What California’s Ports & Harbors Mean to the Nation

California’s ports, harbors and waterways are vital to the nation’s economy and homeland security. In a recent update of a 1997 San Francisco State University study, it was found that California ports and harbors:

Create 1.6 million American jobs

Result in $30.5 billion in personal income

Are responsible for $57 billion in national output/GDP

Generate $10 billion in federal taxes and duties returned to the U.S. Treasury annually

CMANC Federal Issues

Energy and Water Appropriations

We request Congress provide adequate FY2005 Budget allocations and appropriations for (1) Congressionally authorized Civil Works construction projects and (2) to maintain California Federal ocean entrances and channels.

Corps of Engineers Support

We believe the Corps’ traditional role in the development of the nation’s maritime and flood control projects should remain intact. Any divestiture of this role to other federal agencies would weaken what has become the world’s foremost navigation and water management system. CMANC recommends strengthening of the Corps’ role in these vital national programs through streamlining and refinement of the Corps’ existing systems. CMANC also urges full execution by the Corps of its basic navigation, shore and flood protection mission as well as environmental restoration and recreation authorized by Congress.

WRDA 2004

We urge the passage of a Water Resources Development Act in 2004 to continue the investment in our efficient maritime transportation system to benefit national economic recovery.

TEA-21 Reauthorization

We support reauthorization of TEA-21 so that California ports and harbors can continue to meet the challenges of increased maritime trade by furthering the development of an efficient and flexible multi-modal transportation system.

National Marine Sanctuaries

We support the preservation of the nation’s ocean resources and a balanced decision-making process that will enable sanctuaries and operating harbors to live side-by-side harmoniously. Unilateral authority should not be granted to sanctuaries or their managers. Sanctuary boundaries should not be expanded until outstanding issues are resolved.

Port Security

We support legislation that funds and maintains a safe and secure maritime infrastructure including its transportation system.

Wallop-Breaux Trust Funds

We urge Congress to distribute Wallop-Breaux funds back to the states for use in boating and wildlife restoration programs; and to state maritime infrastructure banks, which can loan or grant funds to appropriate state projects. Wallop-Breaux funds are generated exclusively from federal excise taxes on marine products and fuel. Nearly half of these funds are unallocated.