U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects for the Port of Hueneme and Ventura Harbor will receive $6.3 million in federal funding, U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley announced Jan. 26. 

The money will be used for the annual dredging of Ventura Harbor and will allocate “donor port” funds for the Port of Hueneme, according to a news release from Brownley’s office.

“One of my top priorities in Congress is fighting for the economic vitality of our region,” Brownley, a Democrat who represents most of Ventura County, said in the news release.

“Ensuring our water-side infrastructure is properly maintained and our channels are dredged to the appropriate depths will ensure our ports and harbors can continue to operate, helping to fuel our economy and keeping jobs in our region.”

Of the $6.3 million, $6.2 of it will be used for the annual dredge of Ventura Harbor. 

This represents a $1.45 million increase from the amount originally included in the Army Corps’ budget proposal.

“This support demonstrates her ongoing commitment to our working waterfront including the commercial fishing industry so central to the District’s mission,” said Brian Pendleton, Ventura Port District General Manager.

Another $140,000 will be used for those “donor port” funds for the Port of Hueneme, which contributes more to the federal Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund than it gets back for dredging and maintenance. 

In 2016, Brownley spearheaded a provision in the Water Resources Development Act that ensured the Port of Hueneme and the Port of San Diego would be eligible for these funds. In December of 2020, Congress passed the Water Resources Development Act, which will ensure donor ports get an even better return on their contributions to the Trust Fund in future years.

“Any federal funding that we can bring back to our Port is critical as our workforce continues to move essential cargo to 15 states, keeping our communities fed and supplied as we fight the pandemic and build back our economy,” Port of Hueneme CEO Kristin Decas in the news release.