Washington, DC – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) welcomed passage yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives of new federal funding for projects in Ventura County. The funding, which comes in the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 5895), supports dredging at Channel Islands Harbor and Ventura Harbor, “donor port” funds for the Port of Hueneme, and new infrastructure projects at Naval Base Ventura County.
“Since coming to Congress, I have worked side by side with local leaders to bring additional funding for Ventura County’s port and harbors, as well as funding for Naval Base Ventura County, and I am pleased to see our efforts pay off once again,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “The Port of Hueneme, Channel Islands Harbor, and Ventura Harbor are critical engines of our economy here in Ventura County, and this funding will help them stay open for business and continue to be positive contributors to our community. The funding for Naval Base Ventura County will support the construction of three new facilities, which are critical to further solidifying our base’s essential role in U.S. national security. All these investments will play a pivotal role in fueling job growth in Ventura County, which is good for residents and businesses alike.”
Channel Islands Harbor
H.R. 5895 includes $6,290,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge Channel Islands Harbor to support the upcoming biannual dredging that is necessary to keep the harbor open for business.
“Channel Islands Harbor, and Ventura County, are grateful to Congresswoman Brownley and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their work to obtain this funding,” said Lyn Krieger, Special Projects Manager, Ventura County Harbor Department. “These funds go to two important projects. The first will provide sand to protect Hueneme Beach, the City of Port Hueneme and Naval Base Ventura County by providing sand from the sand trap at Channel Islands Harbor. The second project will provide breakwater and jetty repairs in the Harbor that have been needed for some time. We look forward to getting this work underway in October.”
Ventura Harbor
H.R. 5895 includes $5,370,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge Ventura Harbor to support their annual dredge.
“On behalf of the Ventura Port District Board of Port Commissioners and General Manager, Oscar Peña, we would like to thank and recognize Congresswoman Julia Brownley for her demonstrated support and continued commitment to Ventura Harbor. Congresswoman Brownley has been a consistent advocate for the appropriation of federal funds to conduct essential dredging on an annual basis to provide a safe and navigable Harbor,” said Brian Pendleton, Deputy General Manager, Ventura Port District.
Port of Hueneme
H.R. 5895 also provided $50,000,000 to be distributed among donor ports, which includes the Port of Hueneme.
Donor ports contribute far more to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund than they receive back, and are allocated some funding through the donor port program to address the inequity. Brownley spearheaded enactment of legislation in 2016 (P.L. 114-322) to ensure the Port of Hueneme received equitable treatment as a donor port.
“We are appreciative of Congresswoman Brownley’s leadership on securing the Donor Ports an additional $10M of funding this year,” said Kristin Decas, Port of Hueneme CEO & Port Director.
“As one of only nine ports in the nation which receive pennies on the dollar of what we contribute in Harbor Maintenance Tax, funding like this through the Donor Port Fund is critical to help us maintain the $179M of infrastructure at the Port of Hueneme and sustain over 13,600 jobs for our local community,” said Mary Anne Rooney, Oxnard Harbor District President.
Naval Base Ventura County
H.R. 5895 also provides funding to the Department of Defense for military construction projects. The DOD budget for Fiscal Year 2019 requested funds for three new facilities at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC). This funding ensures DOD can move forward with its most pressing needs, including these facilities at NBVC.
Issues: 115th Congress, Defense, Transportation and Infrastructure