For Immediate Release
September 28, 2000

The House Approves A Multi-Million Dollar Package for Port of Oakland Projects
House of Representatives Passes Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Containing $12 Million for Port Projects and $2 Million for Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Projects

September 28, 2000 - The Port of Oakland received a huge boost today toward making its maritime expansion a reality. The House of Representatives today passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill containing $4 million for the Port of Oakland's Harbor Deepening Project, $8 million for operations and maintenance dredging and $2 million for the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project. The Hamilton Project will utilize dredge material from the Oakland Deepening Project to restore wetland habitat at the former Army Airfield.

Port of Oakland Executive Director Charles Foster, stated, "The Port of Oakland is elated to have received the exciting news from Representative Barbara Lee regarding approval by the House of the long-awaited funding of our -50' dredging project." He added further, "Congresswoman Lee has tirelessly led the efforts of our Bay Area delegation in seeking this important funding. We congratulate her and the Bay Area delegation and wish to also thank Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer for their continued leadership and outstanding efforts, especially now as this measure goes to the Senate for approval. By securing this important 'new start' funding, we will be able to proceed with what is the underpinning of the largest maritime expansion effort in the history of the Port of Oakland. Our project is unique in that it will provide both economic and environmental benefits. The dredged material will be used to restore and create habitat in the Bay Area and the economic growth resulting from this deepening project is projected to benefit the region, the state, and indeed the nation."

The Port of Oakland's deepening project, authorized by the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999, will enable the Port of Oakland to deepen its harbor to -50 feet to accommodate the latest generation of container ships. This effort will provide deep-water access to the new marine terminals presently under construction at the mouth of the Port of Oakland's Inner Harbor.

The proposed dredging project will maintain Oakland's position as an international cargo gateway. There are only two primary cargo gateways in California -- Los Angeles/Long Beach and Oakland -- and only three on the West Coast. Without improvements to Oakland's infrastructure, cargo could flow to Mexican and Canadian ports, resulting in lost jobs and taxes from California and the U.S. Furthermore, this would have a severe impact on those businesses that depend on the Port for its import and export needs.

The -50 foot dredging project and related maritime expansion projects will result in 8,800 additional jobs; $1.9 billion in increased annual business revenue and $55.5 million in increased annual local taxes. This action by the House of Representatives clears the way for approval by the Senate.

Contact:
Harold Jones
Communications Director
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com

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