Number: 1981-29
WHEREAS, there is a national interest in maintaining the nation’s deepwater ports for economic and efficient import and export; and
WHEREAS, there is a perceived demand for deep draft capacity at U. S. ports for increasing coal exports; and
WHEREAS, without a national policy on port expansion, it is likely that all East, Gulf, West Coast, and Great Lakes ports will vie for federally-financed port facilities; and WHEREAS, port development and expansion involves extensive dredging with the associated problems of upland, wetland, and ocean dredge spoil disposal; and
WHEREAS, dredging can significantly degrade water quality due to resuspension of bottom sediments containing an accumulation of toxics and contaminants; and
WHEREAS, the environmental degradation associated with port expansion would be limited if only those ports which are economically justified and for which the states are willing to share in the costs of project construction, and for which users are willing to repay the costs through user fees, are constructed; and
WHEREAS, certain established minimum guidelines for the maintenance of environmental quality and habitat conservation should be observed in any proposed port expansion proposal;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 26-29, 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia, hereby opposes unbounded authority for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand the Nation’s port capacity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation does support rational port development which demonstrably meets national needs with due consideration for wildlife and wildlife habitat, particularly wetlands and estuaries, in planning, construction and operation; which maintains water quality; which requires states to share in the costs of construction; and which requires the recovery of federal costs through user fees over the life of the project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the formulation of a national policy for rational port development which takes into account the natural amenities of the coastal zones, and sets priorities for the allocation of scarce financial resources in the development of port facilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that alternative nonpolluting transportation methods for offshore loading be explored and used where possible.