In late September, prior to the U.S. government shutdown,
leaders from AFBF’s Trade Advisory Committee and Oakland port officials lobbied
Congress to pass the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013.
The Water Resources Reform and Development Act, or WRRDA,
promotes investment in the nation’s critical water resources infrastructure,
accelerates project delivery and reforms the implementation of Corps of
Engineers projects.
Historically, Congress has passed such legislation every two
years to provide clear direction to the Administration and the Corps; however,
no bill has been signed into law since 2007.
“It is vital to the national economy for the federal government
to make much needed investments into U.S. port infrastructure,” Port of Oakland
Executive Director Chris Lytle said. “Ports need federal investment to improve
infrastructure in order to be globally competitive and remain job-creating
powerhouses.”
In 2012, about $6.74 billion in agricultural products were
exported through the Oakland seaport to overseas customers, representing about
47.7 percent of the total 2012 value of exports leaving the port, according to
data.
Before the federal shutdown, the AFBF was conducting an
organizational campaign called “The Heat is On,” designed to communicate with
members of Congress the importance of waterway and port infrastructure
improvements, the farm bill and agricultural labor reform.
“There are no trucks or trains to Asia,” AFBF Trade Advisory
Committee Chair Steve Baccus said. “In order to reach those consumers and
compete in the world market, we must invest in port infrastructure.”
With the federal government partially shut down for at least
the near future, the AFBF’s Trade Advisory Committee says it is currently
touring the West and Pacific Northwest looking at ports and transportation
infrastructure.
