Late last week, the full U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations bill by a vote of 404-20, including $15 million for the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project.

This House appropriation matches the President's $15 million budget request, but is below the Corps of Engineers' most efficient capability to complete $40 million of deepening work in FY 2007. The House bill sets overall Corps funding at $5 billion, which is $251 million above the President’s request but $345 million below last year’s level when adjusted for emergency supplemental spending.

This bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, where we are already actively working with Northwest Senators to increase this critical appropriation. After the Senate passes its version of Energy and Water Appropriations, the bill will move to a House-Senate conference committee to iron out differences.

A federal appropriation of at least $25 million in FY 2007 would deepen the channel past port facilities in Rainier, Oregon and Longview and Kalama, Washington, enabling farmers and businesses using those ports to immediately load ships more fully with their global cargo. A $40 million appropriation would bring the deeper channel even further up the river toward Vancouver and Portland, making even more progress toward the $65 million still needed in federal funding.

Over 28 miles of the Columbia River navigation channel have been deepened thus far, completing 25 percent of the project. Starting this summer, the Corps plans to use $15 million in appropriated FY 2006 federal funds along with Oregon and Washington state matching funds to deepen another major section of the navigation channel beginning at River Mile 21 (near Grays Bay and Cathlamet Bay). The Corps will also continue work on eco-system restoration components of the project.

Short-term repair work on the south jetty at the Mouth of the Columbia River will begin this summer, protecting navigational safety for ships of all sizes as well as the depth and orientation of the shipping channel.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded the contract to Kiewit Pacific of Vancouver, WA, which will utilize a Congressional appropriation of $17 million to construct interim repairs to the south jetty. The $11.4 million base contract will repair the inland reach of the south jetty and $7.7 million in options may be exercised for repairs to the seaward reach. The inland phase should be completed in October 2006 and the seaward reach completed in 2007.

The south jetty's initial 4.5-mile section was completed in 1896, with a 2.4-mile extension added in 1914. Approximately 0.8 mile of the jetty's outer tip has eroded and several sections of the jetty are in danger of breaching.

These are short-term interim repairs. The Corps is preparing a long-term jetties rehabilitation plan, which will take several years to complete and require major Congressional funding.

Click here for more information on Columbia River Jetties

This "Spotlight" column highlights the work of a member of the Columbia River Channel Coalition. This month we focus on the Port of Lewiston, Idaho:

The Port of Lewiston is Idaho’s only seaport. The Port was established by the voters of Nez Perce County in 1958. The Port of Lewiston is located 465 river miles from the Pacific Ocean and is the most inland and eastern port of the Columbia/Snake River System on the west coast.

The Port specializes in intermodal transportation -- barge, rail, and truck -- making it a good location for a variety of businesses. The Port is served by five tug and barge lines, two U.S. highways, ten truck lines, and a short-line railroad which connects with the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern. Eleven major container companies are also represented at the Port.

The Port of Lewiston was voted into existence in 1958, but became a working port in 1975 once dams were built to quiet the river. At a mere 27 years old, the port is still in its infancy, with shipping trade increasing steadily. Annually, one-million tons of wheat and barley are exported through the port. Eleven steamship lines provide containers to move an additional million tons of containerized cargo. A primary objective of the Port is to encourage economic growth to make the valley a competitive force in the regional marketplace.

The Port of Lewiston is governed by Commissioners Dale Alldredge, Terry Kolb, & Peter Wilson and administered by Port Manager David Doeringsfeld.

Click here to visit the Port of Lewiston

We welcome this group which recently officially joined the Columbia River Channel Coalition:

• Redmond (Oregon) Chamber of Commerce

Click here for a list of the 245-plus Coalition members

As of April 30th, Port of Portland reports that 2006 grain tonnage is up 26.7%, container discharge is up 17.9%, ocean-going vessel calls are up 14%, and total marine tonnage is up 6.5% over the same time period in 2005.

These statistics are an important reminder that Portland and all Columbia River ports are ready to capitalize great economic development opportunities when the channel deepening project is completed.

Click here for more 2006 Port of Portland shipping statistics

Please feel free to contact the Columbia River Channel Coalition (CRCC) with any questions, concerns, or information requests. Thank you so much for your partnership in building a stronger economy through maritime trade.