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Port of Portland lauds resolution for estuary study. 06/28/00 Port of Portland Aaron Ellis (503) 944-7054 The Port of Portland today commended the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for its resolution to initiate an undertaking that could lead to the restoration of thousands of acres of tidal wetlands in the lower Columbia River. The Senate committee’s resolution authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a reconnaissance study of estuary restoration measures. The study would be funded entirely by the Corps and would include, in part, consideration of restoration measures consistent with the Lower Columbia River Estuary Program Management Plan and the terms and conditions of the Biological Opinion on the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project. If the reconnaissance study indicates that restorative measures are in the federal interest, the Corps would then begin a feasibility study, which, if favorable, would be the basis for project sponsors to seek congressional authorization and appropriation for the work. The costs of a full-fledged feasibility analysis would be split evenly between the federal government (Corps) and the local project sponsors. The Port of Portland has asked the governors of Oregon and Washington to co-sponsor the project. “We hope this will be the start of a process in which the Corps and the states will cooperate to restore habitat in an area that is crucial to salmon survival and recovery,” said Mike Thorne, Port of Portland executive director. Thorne said he welcomed the Senate committee’s study resolution “in order to establish a real mechanism for improving fish habitat in the lower Columbia River.” On May 10, the Port of Portland Commission approved a resolution expressing the Port’s strong support for a broad-based and vigorous fish habitat restoration effort as a possible alternative to breaching the four lower Snake River dams. The resolution committed the Port to taking a leadership role in re-establishing fish habitat in the Columbia River estuary. Thorne noted that the Port had worked closely with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) to help them champion approval of the estuary study resolution. In commending the Senate committee’s decision, Thorne expressed the Port’s appreciation to both senators for their initiative and hard work on this important issue. No further congressional action on the study resolution is necessary for it to become effective.
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