Introduction of the Port of Benton Restriction Release Act of 2016
Floor Speech
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Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my legislation, the Port of Benton Restriction Release Act of 2016. This legislation will lift the conveyance restrictions on a 71.5 acre parcel of land that was deeded to the Port of Benton (Port) in 1996 by the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD). The Port acquired this parcel of land as part of an effort to transfer excess and unneeded land from the ``Former 3000 Area'' of the Hanford nuclear reservation, located in the Tri-Cities region of Central Washington, back to the local communities. Recently, the Port has explored economic development opportunities on this parcel, however the existing conveyance restrictions have inhibited their ability to develop the land for the economic benefit of the Tri-Cities region.
In recent years, there has been an increase in economic activity near this property, including over $70 million in investments, the creation of the Manhattan Project National Historic Park in 2014, and the transfer of 1,641 acres of Hanford land back to the local communities for further economic and industrial development. The Port of Benton has targeted uses for this land that include clean energy manufacturing, bio products, solar array, and industrial operations, which could yield investments of $1 billion for the local communities and the creation of 1,500 jobs for the region.
However, the conveyance restrictions on this property have inhibited the Port's ability to attract private and small businesses to make investments in the Former Hanford 3000 Area. These restrictions require that all sub-leases over five years on the property be submitted to MARAD for approval. Additionally, the Port is required to submit annual reports to MARAD for the parcel.
This important legislation will release all remaining federal deed restrictions on the 71.5 acre property, which will allow the Port of Benton and the surrounding communities to continue their hard work to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and retain a skilled workforce in the area, and this parcel of land is a critical component of this effort. For these reasons I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, which will have a positive and lasting impact on the economic viability and competitiveness of the Tri-Cities region.
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