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U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s "Chief’s Report recommends the Columbia River be deepened" 06/28/00 Port of Portland Bruce Andrews (503) 944-7040 The Port of Portland today welcomed the news that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has issued its “Chief’s Report” for the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project. That report, from the Corps’ Chief of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Joe N. Ballard, recommends to Congress that the Columbia River navigation channel be deepened by three feet and that the Willamette River portion be delayed to allow coordination with an approved harbor clean up plan. Congress authorized the channel project last summer, conditioned on a positive Chief’s Report by Dec. 31. This fall, the Corps finished its five-year, $6.1 million integrated feasibility study and final environmental impact statement, with favorable results. Last week, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued its biological opinion that the project poses “no jeopardy” to federally listed species. The Corps’ final recommendation is the last major step in the congressional approval process prior to seeking appropriations for start of construction. This report is the culmination of more than 10 years of effort by the six sponsoring ports, the Corps of Engineers, and state and federal natural resource and regulatory agencies. The outcome is a set of proposed actions designed to strengthen the lower Columbia River’s trade capability while improving its natural habitat. “Oregon and Washington’s congressional delegations and the governors and legislatures of both states have strongly supported this project,” said Mike Thorne, Port of Portland executive director, “because channel deepening is central to this region’s ability to continue competing successfully in the world marketplace.” A three-foot deeper navigation channel, Thorne emphasized, assures that Oregon and Washington businesses and farms continue to get direct ocean-going vessel service in the Columbia River at competitive rates. “Without this project, our region will incrementally lose international steamship service,” said Thorne. “That would mean higher transportation costs for businesses and higher prices for the products we consume.” “This project does more than mitigate potential impacts from dredging,” Thorne stated. “The extensive ecosystem restoration measures that will result will improve salmon habitat in the river and estuary system. The Corps and port sponsors are committed to this outcome.”
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