September 26, 2000
CONGRESSIONAL CONFEREES APPROVE CHANNEL DEEPENING APPROPRIATIONS
The six Oregon and Washington ports sponsoring the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project are very pleased that a House-Senate conference committee has approved $5.423 million for the project. The six sponsoring ports are the Ports of Portland and St. Helens in Oregon and the Ports of Vancouver, Longview, Kalama, and Woodland in Washington.
House and Senate conferees on the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2001 agreed today to provide $923,000 for pre-construction engineering and design and $4.5 million for construction of the project. The first construction to be undertaken with the $4.5 million will be environmental improvements associated with the channel deepening project. Specifically, the funds will restore approximately 1,250 acres of wildlife habitat at Shillapoo Lake (near Vancouver, Wash.), improve tide gates on 38 miles of spawning streams in the Lower Columbia River, and enhance circulation for migrating salmonids in certain shallow water areas.
In Aug. 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) withdrew the original Biological Opinion on the project and began consultations on a new Opinion with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The $4.5 million appropriated for the Shillapoo Lake ecosystem restoration will not be spent until NMFS issues a new Biological Opinion and the Corps renders a Record of Decision.
Mike Thorne, executive director of the Port of Portland, pointed out that "The appropriations decision reaffirmed Congress’ support and confidence in the project. Members of the Pacific Northwest Congressional delegation recognize that this project can both sustain our region’s worldwide trade access and achieve environmental benefits."
"Restoring wildlife habitat demonstrates the ports’ commitment to a cost-effective, environmentally sound transportation project for the region, said Larry Paulson, Executive Director of the Port of Vancouver USA. "We look forward to the completion of a new Biological Opinion and the beginning of construction of this project."
On a separate but related matter, the conferees also approved $100,000 to fund a reconnaissance study of estuary restoration measures in the lower Columbia River by the Corps of Engineers. If favorable, the study could lead to the restoration of thousands of acres of tidal wetlands in the lower Columbia River. The ports had worked closely with Members of Congress to secure Congressional authorization and funding for this important environmental work.
The Oregon and Washington ports deeply appreciate the strong support by members of the Oregon, Washington, and Idaho Congressional delegations, as well as other regional leaders, who have brought about this key step for a project essential for the region’s future economic vitality.
|
