CMANC Update for July 2015

Maintaining the System of Federal Navigation Projects in California:
Increased Harbor Maintenance Tax funding
Due to continued pressure by all parties, including CMANC, on “spend the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) for its intended purpose,” Congress has been able to increase funding to the Corps which has resulted in a 50% increase in funding for O&M projects in California during the past two years.
We cannot take this increase for granted and collectively we must continue to advocate for spending the Harbor Maintenance Tax for its intended purpose.
Efficiencies for Water Resource Projects
CMANC continues to work with the Corps to find ways to get more of the limited funds provided to go directly into dredging.  Areas we have focused on include environmental assessments, mobilization, combining projects and providing for options for future dredging.
Passage of Water Resources Reform and Development Act
Congress was able to pass a Water Resources Act in 2014.  This Bill statutorily requires some reforms and streamlining of Corps’ processes, provides funding to “emerging harbors,” increases some Continuing Authorities Program authorization levels, encourages annual increases in Harbor Maintenance Tax expenditures to reach 100% of revenues by the year 2024, amends the O&M cost share from -45′ to -50′, provides for “donor” port and “energy” port funding to provide some equity in HMT revenues versus expenditures, creates a state revolving loan fund, directs the Corps to identify $18 billion in water resource projects that should be de-authorized, and allows non-federal interests to submit projects to the Corps that will be forwarded to Congress on an annual basis.
Total Maximum Daily Load
CMANC, as a state-wide association, has been working to educate regulatory staff and our Membership on the impacts of TMDLs on navigation and the need, in some cases, for alternative criteria.
Climate Change
CMANC continues to work with state and federal agencies to get their recognition on the need for flexibility in developing policies and of the service life of structures when implementing policies.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
September 16 – 18, 2015

Fall Meeting
We are happy to announce that the Corps’ Director of Contracting, Mr. Stuart Hazlett, has agreed to be a Keynote Speaker at our Fall Meeting ~ details to follow.
             January 20 – 22, 2016

Winter Meeting
     Once again, we will be having our          Winter Meeting the same week as        the Beaver’s Awards Dinner in Los        Angeles ~ details to follow.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The Board of Directors elected Lyn Krieger with Channel Islands Harbor as Chair, Imee Osantowski with the Port of Oakland as Vice Chair, Doug Thiessen with the Port of Long Beach as Treasurer, and Mike Christensenwith the Port of Long Beach as Immediate Past Chair.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU
On July 31st, Colonel Kimberly M. Colloton will be stepping down as the 60th Commander of the Los Angeles District.   She has been an effective leader in her support of navigation within the Los Angeles District and we wish her the best in her continued Army career.
California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference | 20885 Redwood Road, # 345 | Castro Valley | CA | 94546
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