Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Prioritizing Opportunities for Rural Transformation (PORT) Act to approve a land conveyance to the Port of Skamania to support local economic development. The Port of Skamania submitted their request for the 1.6-acre plot of unused U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land over 40 years ago which requires Congressional authorization.

Last month, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez testified in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to underscore this request as a priority for Southwest Washington in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. Video of her testimony can be found here.

“This 1.6-acre plot of land is the kind of thing that can make an incredible difference in empowering our rural community, when roughly one half of one percent of Skamania County’s land is actually developable,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Everyone’s on board, but year after year, Congress has failed to act. The port’s typewritten letter was filed before I was born, so I’m introducing this legislation to finally make this happen.”

“I support Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s bill to provide the Port of Skamania with the land it needs to empower its surrounding communities, drive the local economy and create good-paying jobs,” said House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen. “Outcomes such as these are what will make the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024 transformational for the ports, harbors, and inland waterways in Washington state and across the country.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.