For the first time in nearly three decades, the Harbor Maintenance Tax will reinvest in all ports, including donor ports with naturally deep water harbors like Tacoma and Seattle.

The federal tax is levied on all imports that land at U.S. ports to help pay for harbor maintenance dredging. Tacoma’s customers make substantial contributions to the fund, but the Port receives minimal benefit.

A provision authored by Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) expands the fund’s use to include port infrastructure improvements and rebates to importers.

While dollar amounts remain very small and the change is not as comprehensive a solution as the Maritime Goods Movement Act, it marks the first step in reforming HMT and leveling the playing field for Puget Sound ports.

WRRDA also permanently authorizes Section 214, which allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accept funds to expedite the processing of permits. The Port would like to thank the entire Washington delegation for their support of the legislation.