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Private contractor Bean Dredging Company's Dredge Stuyvesant (pictured above) recently began this year's channel deepening work after completing dredging at the mouth of the Columbia. Although federal fiscal year 2007 began this week, the U.S. Congress plans to adjourn before taking final action on the FY 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Fortunately, the President, House, and Senate all included $15 million for channel deepening in their budget proposals, so we anticipate that the final bill will retain $15 million for the project in FY2007. Once Congress completes that $15 million appropriation, a total of $49 million in federal funds and $55.4 million in Oregon and Washington state funds will have been appropriated for channel deepening. Approximately $50 million in additional federal funds will then be required to complete the project. Special thanks to this year's Boat Tour sponsors: Columbia River Bar Pilots, Columbia River Pilots, Columbia River Steamship Operators Assn., the Gallatin Group, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., Idaho Grain Producers, International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Kalama Export Co., Marine Terminals Corp., Northern Star Natural Gas, Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Wheat Growers League, Pacific NW Grain & Feed Assn., Tidewater Barge Lines, & Washington Assn. of Wheat Growers. Immediately after the boat tour, we joined with PNWA for a tour of
the Columbia River jetties. Congressional staff received a short
briefing about the short-term repairs currently underway and the long-term
rehabilitation plan to secure these vital structures. An actual tour of
the jetties followed on a Corps vessel. 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 already eroded away, beach erosion has exposed more of the jetty to damage, and several sections of the jetty are in serious danger of breaching. These repairs -- and the interim repairs to the North Jetty last year -- will be very beneficial in protecting navigational safety and the channel in the short-term, but a long-term fix is needed. To that end, the Corps of Engineers is preparing a long-term jetties rehabilitation plan, which will include several stages of public involvement. This plan will take several years to implement and require major Congressional funding, but it is critical to protecting our Columbia River economic lifeline.
CONGRESSIONAL CORNER: Rep. Cathy McMorris "The Columbia River system plays an integral part in our daily lives in the Pacific Northwest. The existence of barge transportation not only benefits the residents and farmers of Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, but also creates over 40,000 jobs that generate millions of dollars in economic activity and tax revenue. "The Columbia River is essential to getting our goods to market and providing important irrigation for the hundreds of crops grown throughout our region. In fact, over 60% of Washington wheat travels by barge through the Columbia River system." Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or information requests. Thanks for your partnership in building a stronger economy through maritime trade. Click here to visit Congresswoman Cathy McMorris' website SPOTLIGHT: OREGON FARM BUREAU Oregon Farm Bureau traces its roots to 1919 when the Umatilla County Farm Bureau was established in the heart of the state’s wheat country. OFB was formally incorporated in 1932. In 2007, OFB will celebrate its 75th anniversary. OFB is organized in all 36 Oregon counties with over 52,000 member families, making it the largest general agricultural organization in Oregon. About 8,800 member families are professionally engaged in agriculture. Barry Bushue, an east Multnomah County berry and nursery producer, is OFB’s 15th president. The agriculture industry is unique in that nearly every aspect of public policy directly impacts farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to produce the nation’s food, fuel, and fiber. Farm Bureau policy originates from individuals at the county Farm Bureau level, and evolves through an open, democratic process into OFB policy and advocacy efforts. Representing our members’ interests in political and public arenas at the local, state, and national level is OFB’s top priority. COALITION KEEPS EXPANDING Colorado Association of Wheat Growers CRCC STAFF CHANGES: HOLZNAGEL RESIGNS PLEASE CONTACT US
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