 |
Home | Project Updates |  |
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|  |
<< Back E-mail Update – September 8, 2003 – Volume 3, Number 13 Oregon Legislature Re-Appropriates $27.7 Million: Oregon’s House of Representatives and Senate recently approved HB 3446 (omnibus bonding bill) containing the authorization for funding Oregon’s share of the Channel Deepening project. At this time, both Oregon and Washington have successfully re-appropriated state funding for this critical project. Thanks to the many supporting Oregon and Washington legislators and other individuals that have worked to secure this funding by taking the time to gain a clear understand of the project and the importance of Columbia River maritime commerce to this region and beyond. 3rd Annual Columbia River Boat Tour: Many Washington state legislators and key Congressional staff from throughout the Northwest joined port, business, labor, agricultural, trade and navigation leaders for a beautiful and informative day-long tour of the Columbia River from Portland to Longview on August 25, 2003. Unfortunately, Oregon legislators were still in session that day and were unable to attend the event. Participants were able to personally view the ports of Portland, Vancouver, Woodland, St. Helens, Kalama, and Longview, large ocean-going vessels in the channel, and the navigation system that supports our region’s trade-based economy. They were also briefed on the economic benefits and environmental protections of the Columbia River Channel Deepening project. This boat tour provided an excellent opportunity to thank legislators who have actively supported this project, encourage strong future support from other legislators, and provide a detailed project update to all participants. Special thanks to the generous co-sponsors of this successful boat tour: Columbia River Pilots Columbia River Steamship Operators Foss Maritime Company International Longshore & Warehouse Union, International Office International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Columbia River District Council International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Puget Sound District Council Oregon Wheat Growers League Tidewater Barge Lines Washington Association of Wheat Growers Washington State Appeals On 401/Czm Permits: An appeal made by the Columbia River Alliance for Nurturing the Environment (CRANE) is challenging the Washington Dept. of Ecology’s (WDOE) decision to approve the 401 Water Quality and Coastal Zone Management (401/CZM) permits for Channel Deepening. Those appeals were not unexpected. In fact, litigation is frequent on projects of this size and scope. Following CRANE’s appeal to Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB), a judged ordered a temporary restraining order for a stay (delaying WDOE’s permit approvals) of the project. On Wednesday, August 20, 2003, the PCHB held a hearing to hear the claims of the appeal from CRANE. The PCHB ruled to continue the stay until they make their determination on whether or not the appeal has merit. The next hearing on this matter in scheduled from October 6-10, 2003. The project is based on the best available science and has gone through careful scrutiny from reviews of panels of independent environmental scientist and received “no jeopardy” biological opinions, as required by the Endangered Species Act, from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries (formerly National Marine Fisheries Service) and US Fish & Wildlife Services. Before issuing the permit approvals, both Washington and Oregon state environmental agencies conducted a thorough and rigorous 7-month public process, in which dozens of citizens testified both for and against the project during months of hearings in Oregon and Washington, from Vancouver to Astoria. There is confidence that the Washington 401/CZM permit approvals will stand. Coalition Keeps Expanding: We welcome the following organization who officially joined the Coalition: Lower Columbia River Chapter of Land Surveyors’ Association of Washington Did You Know? Maritime transportation is vitally important for international trade. Ocean-going vessels move over 95% of U.S. overseas trade by weight and 75% by value. In the Columbia-Snake River Customs District, marine shipping accounts for 99% of our foreign trade by weight and 72% by value.
Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or information requests. Thanks for your partnership in building a stronger economy through maritime trade.
|
