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<< Back E-mail Update – January 9, 2004 – Volume 4, Number 1 Channel Record Of Decision (Rod) Issued By Corps! Today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued its long-awaited Record of Decision (ROD) for the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project. This major milestone paves the way for deepening the Columbia River navigation channel and enhancing the river's ecosystem. The ROD concludes significant work by the Corps, the sponsor ports, and all Coalition partners who understand how important improving the channel is to maintaining our region's economic competitiveness in this global market. The project outlined in the ROD will comply with Washington and Oregon state environmental approvals issued in 2003. The Corps worked diligently to ensure that this project will leave the Columbia River in better environmental condition than it is today. Sponsored by the Washington Ports of Kalama, Longview, Vancouver, and Woodland and the Oregon Ports of Portland and St. Helens, this project will deepen the Columbia River shipping channel between the ocean and Portland/Vancouver from 40 to 43 feet, enabling modern ships to navigate more safely and load Northwest exports more fully and efficiently. With this ROD issued, all federal environmental reviews completed, both states' regulatory approvals granted, all state funding appropriated, and $10 million in federal appropriations allocated thus far, we can celebrate the fact that project construction is just around the bend. The next step is signing the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the federal government and the six port sponsors. Additional federal appropriations will then be required to complete project construction, and the Northwest Congressional delegation is already gearing up for the FY2005 appropriations process. Columbia River Presentations Available: If your civic organization, business, union, association, or local government would like an updated presentation about the importance of maritime trade to our region and the goals, implications, and current status of the Columbia River channel deepening project, please let us know. We would be delighted to provide an informative and interesting presentation at no cost. Feel free to contact the Coalition office to arrange for a presentation. Did You Know? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ analysis demonstrates that every $1 invested in channel deepening yields $1.66 in national economic return. Since the Corps' analysis is required by federal statute to be very conservative, the major regional economic benefits of the Channel Improvement project are in addition to the national benefits. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or information requests. Thanks for your partnership in building a stronger economy through maritime trade. Dave Hunt, Executive Director Theeme Holznagel, Office Manager Columbia River Channel Coalition (503) 285-6343 (voice), (503) 285-6350 (fax) CRCC@ChannelCoalition.com (e-mail)
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