53 Pa. Stat. § 14197
The director shall have authority, after appropriation by councils of said cities of the money required therefor, to acquire by the purchase, in the name of and for the benefit of said cities, such unimproved marshlands, within said cities, as may be reclaimable, between the low-water line and the high-water shore-line of the rivers, bays, lakes, and navigable waters; and, after appropriation of the money required therefor by said councils, to reclaim, fill in, and improve said marsh-lands, and construct thereon wharves, piers, docks, slips, basins, and storage facilities; and the director may lease, as hereinafter provided in section nineteen, such part or parts of said reclaimed lands as, in the judgment of the director, cannot be so improved; or the director and the advisory harbor board, if so authorized by ordinance of councils, may sell the same, and the income or money obtained from such lease or sale shall be paid into the treasury of said cities, and be subject to general appropriation.
The director shall have authority, after appropriation of the money required therefor by the councils of said cities, to acquire, by purchase, in the name of and for the benefit of said cities, such wharves, piers, bulkheads, docks, slips, basins, and storage facilities appurtenant thereto, lands, property, rights, easements, and privileges, within the limits of said cities as may be required for the purposes of commerce and navigation.
The director shall have authority, after appropriation of the money required therefor by the councils of said cities, to purchase, in the name of and for the benefit of said cities, lands, piers or bulkheads, and to erect thereon such structures and buildings for storage and storage facilities as may be necessary for the proper and convenient use of such wharves, piers, and bulkheads, for the storage of incoming or outgoing goods, wares, or merchandise; and he shall have power to make all rules necessary for the government of such storage facilities, and fix all rates and charges for their use and occupation.
The director shall have authority, after appropriation of the money required therefor by the councils of said cities, to purchase, maintain, and operate such boats or launches, ice boats and dredges, as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the department of wharves, docks and ferries.
53 P.S. § 14197