"The bill addresses the concern that the Port of Guam could be a 'chokepoint' in the delivering of materials critical for the success of civilian and military infrastructure improvements that are needed on Guam prior to and during the military buildup," Bordallo said. "I introduced the legislation after working with the Maritime Administration and government of Guam on this issue."

When asked if she expected wide support for the bill, Bordallo said, "The legislation drafted is modeled after similar language used for port improvements in Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska. We are working with the chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction to gain leadership support for the bill."

Bordallo said that the legislation would greatly assist the port in providing funds in its development and anticipation of the buildup.

"The current infrastructure at the Port of Guam is incapable of handling the anticipated increase in capacity that is a direct result of military buildup activities on Guam," Bordallo said. "The Joint Guam Program Office has called the port a potential 'chokepoint' during the buildup, and this program will help the port in its development. The program will be managed by the Maritime Administration working in conjunction with the government of Guam."

Bordallo said that the bill calls for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the MARAD and the government of Guam and that the legislation will provide Gov. Felix Camacho with federal assistance in identifying ways to implement the Port of Guam Master Plan, which was recently approved by Camacho and sent to the Guam Legislature for approval.

"The legislation simply authorizes the Maritime Administration to work with the government of Guam per a memorandum of understanding that both entities are close to finalizing for improvements at the Port of Guam," Bordallo said.

Bordallo's bill authorizes the MARAD working in conjunction with government of Guam to accept funds from non-federal entities for the purposes of conducting port improvements.

Bordallo said that although the language in the bill does not specify any particular stakeholders, any potential non-federal entity support will be jointly identified by the government of Guam and the MARAD.

"The federal fund shall be administered by the Maritime Administrator and spent per the memorandum of understanding developed between the government of Guam and the Maritime Administration. The funds will be spent directly for improvements at the Port of Guam per the MOU. The MOU will specify what development the Port of Guam will undertake with MARAD," Bordallo said.

Bordallo said that the MARAD needs authority to use funds from the account to reimburse them for costs associated with the program per the MOU.