Ports Improvement Act of 1981

Ports Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake navigation improvements to: (1) Norfolk Harbor and Channels, Virginia; (2) Mobile Harbor, Alabama; (3) Baltimore Harbor and Channels, Maryland; (4) Philadelphia Harbor, Pennsylvania; (5) Charleston Harbor, South Carolina; and (6) New York Harbor and Channels, New York.

Requires the Chief of Engineers, within one year of the date of enactment, to submit to Congress a final environmental impact statement for each such project demonstrating compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Clean Water Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and other statutory requirements determined to be pertinent by the Chief of Engineers.

Authorizes the Chief of Engineers to develop, improve, and maintain the Nation's harbors at such depths and dimensions to insure the safe and efficient conduct of defense transportation or foreign and domestic commerce.

Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.

Authorizes the Chief of Engineers to allot, from existing Department of the Army civil works appropriations, such sums as are necessary (pending permanent appropriations) for immediate prosecution of advanced engineering and design and other necessary studies for the improvements authorized by this Act.