December 3, 2009
The United States Army Corps of Engineers “is responsible for investigating, developing and maintaining the nation's water and related environmental resources.” As part of this role the Corps has the responsibility to develop and maintain water resource facilities and respond to emergencies and natural disasters, such as flooding.
In setting priorities for the Corps of Engineers, Congress typically passed every two years a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This legislation authorizes several projects and studies for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to carry out its major missions of flood control to protect our lives and livelihoods, viable navigation corridors for the movement of goods and services, and ecosystem restoration projects to improve the health of our nation’s environment. The studies, surveys and projects included in the bill give the Corps authorization to proceed, however funding for each project is decided separately through the annual appropriations process.
Under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, the New Direction Congress has created unprecedented rules for transparency of WRDA authorization requests by Members of Congress. As part of this commitment to accountability and transparency, Chairman Oberstar of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has established stringent requirements for Members’ WRDA priorities.
Members are required to provide comprehensive information on each WRDA authorization request. All requests must receive a letter of support from a non-federal sponsor of the project, Members are required to certify that neither the Member nor his or her spouse has a financial interest in the requested authorization, and Members are required to post their WRDA authorization requests on their websites.
Below are Speaker Pelosi's authorization requests for the 2009 Water Resources Development Act, all of which are sponsored by the Port of San Francisco, an agency of the City and County of San Francisco.
Port of San Francisco Request: Drift and Debris, Derelict Structure Removal, Navigation Improvements, Flood Control - Port of San Francisco, San Francisco Bay.
Recipient: Port of San Francisco
Address: Pier 1, San Francisco, CA 94109
Authorization Amount: $40,000,000
This initiative will authorize the Corps of Engineers to engage with the Port of San Francisco in general improvements to the Port, including: removing threats to fisheries and navigation, repairing and strengthening the Port’s seawall, and providing navigation enhancements.
To remove threats to fisheries and navigation, this authorization would authorize the removal of piles and pile-supported piers which have been treated with creosote, a complex mixture of chemicals found to be harmful to fish, other marine organisms and humans. Approximately 12,000 gallons of creosote would be removed, and 11 acres of San Francisco Bay sub-tidal habitat will be enhanced or restored as a result of this project.
The seawall along the Port’s San Francisco waterfront is the primary flood control structure along the waterfront, but over time it has suffered considerable deterioration. This project will perform a detailed assessment, prepare detailed plans and specifications, and execute the needed repairs for the seawall and supporting structure.
New Port projects, including the new international cruise terminal at Pier 27, require examination and possible development of additional navigation and flood control improvements in the same vicinity of the San Francisco waterfront. Navigation enhancements will improve operational safety for cruise vessels berthing at the Port of San Francisco.
The request also includes legislative language allowing the Port of San Francisco to receive in-kind contribution credit as part of its matching requirements for materials and services provided prior to the execution of the partnership agreement between the Corps of Engineers and the Port.
Port of San Francisco Request: Environmental remediation, rehabilitation and stabilization of historic Port maritime facilities at Pier 70.
Recipient: Port of San Francisco
Address: Pier 1, San Francisco, CA 94109
Authorization Amount: $45,000,000
Pier 70 is a 65-acre Brownfield site on San Francisco’s Central Waterfront. For over 150 years, some portion of this site has been in use for ship building and repair, or other supporting heavy industrial uses. Pier 70 historic maritime facilities were instrumental in building ships for the WWI and WWII war efforts, as well as the Spanish-American War. The structures at this shipyard include the most historic collection of industrial buildings west of the Mississippi.
Pier 70 is poised to become one of the City’s most unique new neighborhoods, preserving the history that helped make San Francisco a world-class waterfront city. Rehabilitation of the historic 20th Street core of Pier 70 is the key to catalyzing an expected $1.6 billion in private and local investment in the site.
This project includes $45 million in funding for design, engineering, environmental remediation and rehabilitation of historic maritime facilities at Pier 70. The request also includes legislative language allowing the Port of San Francisco to receive in-kind contribution credit as part of its matching requirements for materials and services provided prior to the execution of the partnership agreement between the Corps of Engineers and the Port.
Port of San Francisco Request: Project modification of WRDA 2007 Section 5051 San Francisco, CA authority to include in-kind credit for non-federal materials and services.
Recipient: Port of San Francisco
Address: Pier 1, San Francisco, CA 94109
Authorization Amount: N/A
At the request of Speaker Pelosi, the 2007 WRDA bill included an authorization for the repair and removal, as appropriate, of Piers 30-32, 35, 36, 70 (including Wharves 7 and 8) and 80 at the Port of San Francisco, as part of the Port’s redevelopment plan.
This request would entail adding legislative language to this existing authorization to allow the Port of San Francisco to receive in-kind contribution credit as part of its matching requirements for materials and services provided prior to the execution of the partnership agreement between the Corps of Engineers and the Port.