Ports of Washington.

U.S. Ports

People have always settled near water for domestic purposes and to use it as a transportation system to move people and goods. The streams, rivers and harbors that peopled settled along became our first ports.

In 1787, our nation's founders acknowledged the importance of waterways and their value to the growth, economy and welfare of the new nation when they passed "The Northwest Ordinance." This stated that the nation's inland navigable waters were "common highways" and were "free forever." These references to coastal harbors and entrance channels were included in the U.S. Constitution when it was adopted in 1789.

Washington's Public Port Districts

Ports in Washington State evolved in much the same way as in other parts of the nation. Wherever people settled near the water, boats, ships and rafts and barges were needed to move people and goods. Docks, floats, piers, gangways and other conveniences were built to accommodate watercraft traffic. Most of Washington's early port facilities were privately owned. Those who owned the waterfront amenities controlled movements and the associated costs. In many regions private monopolies existed and prices were established accordingly.

Waterfront monopolies in Washington were dismantled in 1889 when the new state constitution declared beds of navigable waters belonged to the people, and the Legislature could designate which of those areas would be harbors. It also provided a system for leasing waterfront tidelands and uplands in those areas. In 1911, the Legislature enacted laws that allowed the people to establish port districts and elect commissioners to administer the districts and oversee their development and operation. The Port District Act of 1911 was the climax of a long struggle to achieve public control over areas that were essentially public in their impacts, such as commerce.

In September 1911, the Port of Seattle became the first autonomous municipal corporation in the nation to engage in port terminal operation and commerce development. The formation of the Port of Grays Harbor soon followed. Since 1911, more than 80 port districts have been created by voters throughout the state.

Currently, there are 76 public port districts of all sizes and in every corner of the state. While many port laws have changed since 1911, the most important provisions still remain.

© Port of Coupeville
Last updated: 10 October 2007