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<< Back E-mail Update – June 25, 2004 – Volume 4, Number 10 Final Administrative Hurdle For Channel Deepening: Yesterday marks the final administrative hurdle for Channel Deepening. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ LT. Col. Charles Markham and five of the executive directors from the lower Columbia River ports (ports of Kalama, Longview, Portland, Vancouver and Woodland – Port of Portland signed for the Port of St. Helens) sponsoring the project executed the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The PCA describes roles, responsibilities and expectations for the implementation of the project as it moves forward. The Corps is finally able to achieve their commitment to begin the first phase of construction of ecosystem restoration and mitigation features scheduled to begin as soon as this summer. One item the Corps plans to complete this year is the ecosystem restoration feature at the Lord-Walker site by improving embayment circulation to provide enhanced rearing habitat for ocean –type salmonids. This is a very exciting milestone for the many individuals that have worked extensively to produce a much more environmentally enhanced and economically viable project over the past fourteen years. Channel Deepening is one of the largest construction projects in the northwest and through comprehensive environmental review and economic analysis this project has proven to be of sound quality. Thanks to all those that contributed to the success of achieving this milestone. Oregon State Funding Realized: Also, with the execution of the PCA, the sponsoring ports have met their requirements to request Oregon’s state matching funds of $27.7 million through Lottery Bonds in a bond sale scheduled for August 4, 2004. Washington state funding is already in place for expenditure of their state matching funds of a remaining total of $25.2 million. $2.5 million was already expended in 2002. In order to expend bi-state funding and begin dredging in FY 2005, the Corps still requires $15 million in federal funds. The U.S House subcommittee on Energy & Water Appropriations agreed to commit at least $3 million. The U.S. Senate subcommittee will soon convene to complete their version of the budget and with strong advocacy and leadership by Senator Patty Murray and Congressman George Nethercutt it may be possible to receive the $15 million. In addition, Congressman George Nethercutt recently took a trip back to Washington, D.C. with President Bush and discussed the importance of the project and requested amending his budget to include $15 million for Channel Deepening. This provides two sources of remaining hope to receive the $15 million. Senate Committee Lift Restrictions On Nw Dredges: As reported by Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted yesterday to eliminate restrictions on the operation of two Army Corps hopper dredges based in the Northwest. The amendment was introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA). The amendment eliminates artificial restrictions on the number of days the dredges Essayons and Yaquina may operate or the amount of material they are authorized to dredge. It directs the Secretary of the Army to use the Northwest dredges “in the manner most beneficial to and cost effective for the taxpayers of the United States.” The amendment also directs the Secretary to maintain the dredges to technologically modern and efficient standards. The next step is for the full Senate to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The House passed their WRDA bill earlier, without addressing the dredges. So, lifting restrictions on these dredges must be agreed to in conference. Labor Union Leaders Send President Bush A Letter: Recently, 33 labor union leaders sent a letter to President Bush requesting his support for the Columbia River Channel Deepening project. More specifically, they requested that President Bush do everything in his power to expedite the project review currently being conducted by the Office of Management & Budget and amend his budget request to Congress to include $15 million for FY 2005. The letter sent to the President emphasizes the economic importance of Columbia River maritime commerce in the Northwest and each signature represents the many jobs that are depending on a deeper channel in order to sustain their livelihoods and a healthy economy in this region. Coalition Keeps Expanding: We welcome the following organizations who officially joined the Coalition during the past two weeks:
Correction To Last Weeks “Did You Know?”:
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