Congress allows Arctic port partnerships

Congress has passed legislation that could advance development of a deep-draft Arctic seaport.

Alaska’s congressional delegation and others are keen to see construction of an Arctic port, which could support resource development and shipping. A port also could serve scientific, military and emergency response missions.

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (H.R. 3080) cleared the Senate on May 22 on a 91-7 vote, and went to President Obama for his signature.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said a provision in the bill would allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work with non-federal partners to finance “a key component of our state and nation’s Arctic infrastructure needs.”

The provision is important, said Murkowski, with federal infrastructure dollars hard to come by these days.

The bill, which addresses harbor, navigational and other issues nationwide, contains a section titled “Arctic Deep Draft Port Development Partnerships.”

It says the secretary of the Army “may provide technical assistance to non-Federal public entities, including Indian tribes, ... for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of channels, harbors, and related infrastructure associated with deep draft ports for purposes of dealing with Arctic development and security needs.”

The bill further says the secretary is authorized to “accept and expend funds” from non-federal public entities to carry out the work.

The bill suggests some sort of development entity might be created to enter into a formal partnership with the Army Corps.

The Corps and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities have been working together to study the idea of a deep-draft port. Currently, no such port exists along the remote northern Alaska coastline.

The Corps has said a draft port recommendation could be issued by year’s end. The Nome area appears to be the most likely location for an Arctic port.

- Wesley Loy