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<< Back E-mail Update – June 30, 2006 - Volume 6, Issue 6 SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES CHANNEL FUNDS: Special thanks go to Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee members Senator Patty Murray (WA), Senator Conrad Burns (MT), and Senator Larry Craig (ID) for their advocacy and support. This bill now moves to the full Senate, then to a House/Senate conference committee to resolve differences, then back to each chamber for final adoption, and then to the President for his approval. Since $15 million was included for the channel project in both the House and Senate bills, we now anticipate that $15 million will be in the final bill. We will continue to work closely with the Northwest Congressional delegation through the rest of this year's appropriation process. If $15 million is ultimately approved for FY 2007, only $50 million in federal funds will remain to be appropriated to complete this project. Over $55 million in Oregon and Washington state funds have already been fully appropriated and $49 million in total federal funds have been appropriated (including this new $15 million). Although $15 million is below the Corps' most efficient capability to complete $40 million of deepening work in FY 2007, it represents continued progress for this vitally important project. MURRAY, SMITH MEET WITH COALITION REPS: On June 21st, a diverse group of Coalition members from across Washington State made their case to Senator Murray. She pledged to continue fighting for Senate funding on the Appropriations Committee (see above). On June 27th, Coalition members from across Oregon made their case to Senator Smith. He pledged to continue advocating for channel funding with Senate leadership. Thanks to both Senator Murray and Senator Smith for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk with us -- and especially for their continued advocacy for effective Columbia River maritime commerce. SOUTH JETTY REPAIRS MOVING FORWARD: The $11.4 million base contract will repair the inland reach of the jetty by October 2006. The second phase of the contract will repair the seaward reach by October 2007. About 130,000 tons of jetty stone will be placed over the 5,300-foot-long repair area on the South Jetty. 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 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 future, but a long-term fix is needed. Yesterday the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved FY 2007 funding to complete the interim South Jetty repairs and enable the Corps of Engineers to complete a jetty rehabilitation report next year. The Corps recently issued a Draft Environmental Assessment for the North and South Jetties, the first important step in preparing a long-term jetties rehabilitation plan. This plan will take several years to implement and require major Congressional funding. We all need to come together to advocate for these jetties, which protect our Columbia River economic lifeline. MAINTENANCE DREDGING BEGINS FOR 2006: The Corps will open bids from private dredging companies next week (for both annual maintenance dredging and channel deepening) and the winning bidder's dredge will likely join the Essayons on the Columbia River in August. In addition, the Port of Portland's Dredge Oregon also recently began channel maintenance work in the lower Columbia River. Although maintenance dredging season may not be as exciting as World Cup Soccer or the Baseball College World Series, this work is critical to providing cost effective marine transportation for over 1,000 Northwest businesses and 40,000 jobs. PUGET ISLAND GETS HELP THIS YEAR: We look forward to continuing to work with Puget Island residents and Wahkiakum County officials to achieve additional future victories. We share their commitment to once again placing Columbia River dredged sand on the beaches of Puget Island. COALITION KEEPS GROWING:
PLEASE CONTACT US: Dave Hunt, Executive Director -- Dave@ChannelCoalition.com
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