Congresswoman Pou Leads Colleagues Pushing Vital Puerto Rico Reconstruction

Bipartisan group urges fast FEMA movement to commence waterfront rebuild

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), joined by Puerto Congressman Pablo Jose Hernandez (D-PR) led several of their colleagues urging FEMA to help complete the reconstruction of the Waterfront Industry Park in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

“The successful completion of this project will turn the Port of Mayagüez into the third largest port in Puerto Rico, after San Juan and Ponce. The project will not only restore operations to the port but will also generate jobs during construction, reviving commercial activity in the region. This construction will be vital to the development, growth, and competitiveness of local industries and commercial activity in western Puerto Rico through the import and export of goods, which will open the doors to new markets and economic development,” the Members write FEMA’s Senior Official David Richardson.

"The federal government, through FEMA, has the opportunity to help advance an economically critical project to Puerto Rico, its residents, and the United States. By expediting an environmental assessment of the Waterfront Industrial Park in Mayagüez, we can begin the work of repairing and revitalizing this important port infrastructure, create good paying construction jobs through the use of a Project Labor Agreement and help stimulate a shipping and transportation industry that can help stabilize and strengthen the region. On behalf of the Laborers’ International Union of North America and its members, I applaud Congresswoman Pou for her leadership in making sure the government works for the people," said Michael E. Hellstrom, International Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA).

Before the waterfront project can move forward, FEMA must conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potential environmental impacts. The members push the administration to move swiftly while maintaining strong environmental standards.

The letter is signed by Congressmembers Pou, Hernandez, Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), and George Latimer (D-NY-16).

The full text of Congresswoman Pou’s letter is below.

Dear Mr. Richardson:

We write to urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expeditiously undertake the environmental assessment required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on the proposed reconstruction of the Waterfront Industrial Park in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Timely completion is important because the assessment must be completed before FEMA can obligate its Public Assistance Program funds to the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO).

The reconstruction of Waterfront Industrial Park has the potential to bring significant economic and social benefits to Puerto Rico’s western region by repairing and revitalizing critical infrastructure destroyed by recent natural disasters like Hurricane Maria. Mayagüez was once a vital hub for the U.S. tuna industry, employing thousands while processing nearly 80 percent of our nation’s tuna consumption. The region has faced a sharp industrial decline, but the reconstruction of the Mayagüez port promises to revitalize the regional economy, attract new businesses, and restore economic stability to western Puerto Rico.

The successful completion of this project will turn the Port of Mayagüez into the third largest port in Puerto Rico, after San Juan and Ponce. The project will not only restore operations to the port but will also generate jobs during construction, reviving commercial activity in the region. This construction will be vital to the development, growth, and competitiveness of local industries and commercial activity in western Puerto Rico through the import and export of goods, which will open the doors to new markets and economic development.

Yet before this vital project can move forward, FEMA must conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potential environmental impacts. An expedited review will allow for the economic benefits of recovery efforts to materialize, avoiding unnecessary delays while maintaining robust environmental standards.

We appreciate FEMA’s ongoing efforts to support Puerto Rico’s recovery and respectfully urge you to act swiftly to advance this critical stage of the project. Please keep our offices informed of any developments related to the environmental assessment and any steps being taken to expedite its completion. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,