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<< Back E-mail Update – September 30, 2004 – Volume 4, Number 15 Project Construction Begins!: Formal construction of the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project began this week with the commencement of ecosystem restoration work, one of the two components of the project. From September 23-26, 2004, Larson Marine Services of Portland, Oregon, excavated 620 cubic yards of sand from the downstream end of Lord-Walker Island near Longview, Washington to improve water conditions to the embayment within the island complex. The improved conditions will support juvenile salmon as they migrate to the Pacific Ocean. The work at Lord-Walker Island marks the first official construction action on the project. The project's dual purposes are to provide ecosystem restoration for fish and wildlife habitats and to improve the transport of goods on the Columbia River navigation channel by deepening the channel from 40 to 43 feet. The second component of the project is expected to occur next summer, once federal funds are appropriated for Fiscal Year 2005. This is a time to celebrate! Construction action has finally occurred on this project after almost 15 years of study, work, preparation, and advocacy. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this a reality – now let’s all keep our focus on completing the remaining stages of this vitally important project. Federal Appropriation Process Stalled: The FY 2005 Energy and Water Appropriations bill – which will contain Channel Project funding – remains stalled in the U.S. Senate. The primary sticking point delaying the bill’s progress is funding for the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Once the Senate has passed the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, the legislation must then go to a House-Senate conference committee to resolve differences between the two versions of the bill. The House included only $3 million for the Channel Project in their version of this bill. We have requested $15 million. If the Senate has not passed the bill within the next week, it will almost certainly be carried over until after the November election. Senators Patty Murray (WA) and Larry Craig (ID) both serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee and are working diligently to ensure adequate funding in the bill for the Channel Project. Senator Gordon Smith (OR) is working closely with the White House (which requested $15 million in the President’s revised budget) and Senate committee chair to advocate for the project. The entire Northwest Congressional delegation remains steadfastly united in support of this project – and we thank them for their consistent advocacy. Coalition Keeps Expanding: We welcome the following organization who officially joined the Coalition during the past two weeks:
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