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<< Back E-mail Update – June 19, 2003 – Volume 3, Number 10 Washington State Channel Deepening Funds Re-Appropriated: Recently, The Washington state legislature approved and provided the final adoption of the state’s Capitol Budget, which includes $17.7 million for Channel Deepening for the next biennium. In addition to the $17.7 million, the Washington Dept. of Transportation’s budget (WDOT) also included $7.5 million for the project. With the $2.5 million already spent in 2002-03 (funded through WDOT), the total state match of $27.7 million for Washington has been met. The re-appropriation of Oregon’s state matched funds of $27.7 million for Channel Deepening is pending approval by the Joint Ways & Means Committee. Channel Deepening Public Hearing – May 29th: Oregon’s Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and Washington’s Dept. of Ecology (DOE) held a joint Public Hearing regarding the 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Consistency Permits for Channel Deepening. Those state permits are the final regulatory approvals needed to keep the project moving forward. Permits are expected to be issued by late June 2003. DEQ and DLCD originally closed their record for receiving comments or documentation regarding the 401/CZM Permits for Channel Deepening on January 15, 2003, which was prior to the completion of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The Public Hearing was part of the states environmental regulatory process for allowing their record to be re-opened, so that DEQ and DLCD could accept the Final SEIS as presented on January 28, 2003. As part of that process, the state agencies provided a final opportunity to gather additional public testimony and written comments. The record for DEQ and DLCD closed on June 2, 2003, and DOE’s comment period ended June 9, 2003. Please note, the Corps’ current proposal avoids and minimizes impacts and makes beneficial use of the Columbia River sand to aid in the recovery of ESA listed stocks. Channel Deepening Implementation Plans: The Corps, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries (previously called National Marine Fisheries Service) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has developed and agreed upon a plan to implement the Terms and Conditions provided in the 2002 Biological Opinion (Chapter 12, Incidental Take Statement) for Channel Deepening. The Terms and Conditions are intended to reduce the take of listed species. The Implementation Plan, though substantially complete, is a working document and as changes are made and agreed to by the agencies the document will be updated. To review the Implementation Plan for Channel Deepening go to the Corps’ website at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/issues/CRCIP/pubs.htm. Coalition Keeps Expanding: We welcome the following organization who officially joined the Coalition: Tri-City Area Chamber of Commerce Did You Know? Using one gallon of fuel, a large ship can carry one ton of cargo 6 times further than a train and 20 times further than a truck. We need a balanced transportation system that has effective truck, rail, and maritime shipping options for our region’s businesses and farms. Speakers Bureau: If your organization, business, union, 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, 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. 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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