Current Project Status
Next Steps
- 25% of the Columbia River deep-draft federal navigation channel was deepened from 40 to 43 feet by the end of 2005. The Corps is now exploring the most efficient contractual options to complete another portion of deepening in FY 2006 ($15 million in funding). Future federal appropriations are necessary for the completion of Channel Deepening.
Dredging Contract Awarded
- On May 5, 2005, the Corps successfully awarded the first Channel Deepening contract in the amount of $8,738,500 to Great Lakes Dredge and Docks (bid estimate: $10.58 million). Deepening occurred from River Mile 3 to RM 21 (near Astoria) as well as from RM 95 to RM 104 (near Portland/Vancouver). The contract included annual maintenance dredging in the river and at the Mouth of the Columbia River, thus providing cost-savings for the work. The total volume of material dredged is estimated at about 2.6 million cubic yards.
Federal Litigation
- On June 15, 2005, U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez ruled in favor of the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project, confirming that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA Fisheries (formerly known as National Marine Fisheries Service) had properly analyzed the Project's impacts under federal law. In April 2004, Northwest Environmental Advocates (NWEA) and Earth Justice had filed a lawsuit in federal court attempting to stop channel deepening and annual maintenance dredging of the federally authorized channel. They challenged several aspects of the Final Supplemental Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) and Biological Opinion. On August 11, 2005, NWEA and Earth Justice appealed Judge Martinez's decision to the Ninth Circuit Court for Appeals.
State Litigation
- State project litigation was resolved in November 2003 thanks to Port of Vancouver’s agreement with the Columbia River Alliance for Nurturing the Environment (CRANE) to protect 542 acres previously planned for industrial land development at Columbia Gateway. In addition, the Port of Portland agreed to grant CRANE $750,000 to fund the creation of habitat for Sandhill cranes on the 542 acres. In return, CRANE agreed to drop pending litigation and not pursue any future legal challenges. CRANE further agreed not to provide funding to any other environmental organizations proposing to file legal challenges in opposition of Channel Deepening or maintenance dredging.
Federal Funding Status
- To date, Congress has appropriated $34 million: $15 million for FY 2006; $9 million for FY 2005; $3.5 million for FY 2004; $2 million for FY 2003; $4.5 million for 2001. Keep in mind, not all funds appropriated from FY 2001-2004 were used for construction – funding was spent on necessary environmental studies and the monitoring program. Currently, $15 million is included in the President’s budget request for FY 2007.
State Funding Status
- Oregon re-appropriated their state matching funds of $27.7 million in the reauthorization of Lottery Bonds for the 2003-05 biennium. In August 2004, Oregon sold the Lottery Bonds and transferred the $27.7 million to the sponsoring ports for the project. Any funds remaining or any interest gained on those funds will be returned to Oregon.
- Washington re-appropriated their state matching funds for the 2005-07 biennium: $17.7 million was re-appropriated and included in Washington's Capitol Budget; $3,545,000 million will be funded through the Washington Dept. of Transportation; and $6,455,000 million was expended from 2001 to 2005, equaling $27.7 million. Funds not expended by June 2006, will require re-appropriation for the next biennium. Note: State funding must be spent in proportion to federal funding.
Final Supplemental Integrated Feasibility/Environmental Impact Statement completed (January 2003)
- Approved project identifies a national economic benefit of $1.66 for every $1 invested on project construction.
- Following the issuance of the 401 Water Quality/Coastal Zone Mgmt. permits, only two of the five new ecosystem restoration features (ERF) were included in the project (totaling 6 ERF to be constructed).
- Reduced impacts to wetlands, riparian forests, and agricultural lands.
- Reduced quantity of sand to be removed from 18.4 mcy to 14.5 mcy.
- Reduced quantity of basalt rock to be excavated from 173,000 cy to 50,500 cy.
- Comprehensive monitoring and adaptive management program was enhanced.
- Timing windows included for listed and non-listed species.
- Additional studies proposed to be conducted on potential impacts to smelt, sturgeon, and crab.
Biological Reconsultation & Regulatory Process Completed
- The reconsultation process held in 2001 was a transparent public process for reviewing all potential environmental impacts to threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat. The best available science was reviewed by seven independent scientists from around the country. Those scientists concluded that there are no negative measurable impacts anticipated.
- The reconsultation process lead to a new favorable biological assessment from the Corps in January 2002. Following an additional extensive review, NOAA Fisheries (formerly National Marine Fisheries Services) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued new “no jeopardy” biological opinions in May 2002. State environmental 401 Water Quality and Coastal Zone Management Certification permits were approved and issued by Oregon and Washington environmental agencies in June 2003.
- Corps issued their ROD with their recommended plans for Channel Deepening in January 2004. The Record of Decision (ROD) is a written public record issued by the Corps to close out the National Environmental Policy Act process by explaining why the agency is recommending a particular course of action. The ROD summarizes the final selected plan, including modifications necessary to meet Oregon and Washington’s conditioned 401 Water Quality and Coastal Zone Management (401/CZM) permits approved and issued in June 2003. The ROD addresses formulation of alternatives.
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