President Signs Gallegly Bill That Allows
Navy/Port of Hueneme Agreement on Wharf 3

       
WASHINGTON, D.C.- President Clinton on Monday signed into law a bill by Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura County) that will allow the Navy and Oxnard Harbor District to finalize an agreement on use of Wharf 3 at the Port of Hueneme.

The Navy and Oxnard Harbor District announced an agreement on September 30, but it still needs a final OK from the Defense Department. The Navy owns the wharf.

Gallegly's bill was included in the Defense Authorization Act.

Gallegly worked closely with the Navy and Oxnard Harbor District to develop language that met both their needs.

"It was important to the Navy that our national security needs be met while economic opportunities at the Port of Hueneme are increased," Gallegly said. "This agreement is a win-win for both sides: for our national defense and for the continued prosperity of the Central Coast."

Approximately 2,700 Ventura County jobs are related to the port's operations.

The Port of Hueneme is the only commercial deepwater port between Long Beach and San Francisco and the Navy's only deepwater port between San Diego and Puget Sound. Gallegly obtained "port of entry" status for the port after years of unsuccessful efforts by other legislators. He also obtained congressional authorization for $22.4 million to reconstruct the Rice Road/101 interchange, which allows greater truck access to the port.

Once the Wharf 3 agreement is finalized, port officials predict a 50 percent increase in revenues. Currently, more than $3 billion of cargo moves through the port each year and port-related activity pumps more $300 million into Ventura County's economy each year. 

In addition to the Wharf 3 language, the defense bill includes a 3.7 percent military pay raise and payments of up to $500 per month for military families who receive food stamps. The legislation also expands the military health care plan to provide lifetime benefits for 20-year career retirees and their dependents. Veterans will also have better access to prescription drugs.

Another program under the bill will compensate the thousands of workers at nuclear weapons facilities exposed to dangerous levels of radiation and toxic substances.