Development Benefits Supported by Improved Port and Harbor Infrastructure

Support and development of ports and harbors contributes substantially to the successful economic development of the host community. The Final Report of the Alaska Commission on Rural Governance and Empowerment states that a lack of basic infrastructure limits the economic development of many rural communities. The Denali Commission addresses transportation infrastructure as a rural Alaska challenge on its web page. Harbors and ports reduce dependence on air transportation and provide many economic benefits.

These references and many others support the need for basic community infrastructure that includes adequate ports and harbors. Why are these facilities important to rural communities? Waterfront access and vessel support facilitates serve a wide variety of industries and user groups. Subsistence gathering, personal use fisheries, commercial fishing, sport fishing, guided outfitting, transportation, shipping, seafood processing, oil industry support and many governmental activities are dependent on safe waterfront access.

There is the obvious connection of fishing to waterfront access. Fishing can be broadly categorized as falling into three areas within Alaska. These are subsistence/personal use fishing, commercial fishing and guided/sport fishing. Rural Alaska also has a unique component of fishermen that often utilize fish for commercial and subsistence use on the same fishing trip. Public harbors in Alaska can greatly facilitate subsistence and personal use fisheries. Many fishermen utilize public harbors for access to salmon and halibut. Support of subsistence and personal use fishing is a key component of any rural community development plan.

Commercial fishing and fish processing provides jobs and economic benefits to many coastal Alaska communities. Resent declines in the world seafood market have highlighted the importance of commercial fishing in the state. Commercial fishing activities include hatchery operations, processing, producing custom “value added” products, fishing vessel operations, employment and tax income to the government.

Sport and charter boat fishing also constitutes a major economic benefit derived from harbor development. Alaska Sea Grant sponsored a survey that in part attributes $34.1 million in expenditures of “new” money to the Kenai Peninsula region. It is also worth noting that typical nonresident fishermen outspend residents in pursuit of the same fish stocks. Guided sport fishing represents a major growth area within the state and could be utilized as a potential new business for many coastal communities

Water based transportation is a key component of many rural community economies. Good docks and harbors offer alternatives to expensive air transportation in road less areas. Heating fuel shipments can be shipped for much less money by barge. A community that has an adequate fuel dock can transfer and store fuel much more safely than by air. These facilities are also much more safer for the environment. Barges routinely handle shipments of building materials, prefabricated housing and food supplies in Alaska.

Port and harbor development is an important component in any community development plan. Waterfront facilities should not be studied in isolation, but rather as part of the greater community and region. Local ports and harbors can do a better job to clearly define their role within the community.

Tags: Port Harbor Infrastructure Development