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Testimonials and Responses
The Columbia River Channel Deepening Project has gained wide support as a necessity to Oregon’s trade-based economy. Recently, the Oregon AFL-CIO and Associated Oregon Industries placed the Columbia Channel Deepening Project on their short list to improve the state’s economy.
The following testimonials from business owners, government officials and community members illustrate the strength of support for this important project.
"The upper reaches of the Columbia River are very dependent on what happens in the lower river because we are one regional transportation system. We strongly support Columbia River channel deepening because it benefits the economy and family-wage jobs in communities like Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. Whatever happens downriver will dramatically impact us, and we are committed to making that a positive impact through channel deepening."
Jerry Klemm, former national chair
Pulp and Paperworkers Resource Council former member, Idaho State AFL-CIO Executive Board
"Our company uses ocean container shipments for import and export and the larger ships, which comprise more and more of the merchant fleet, can no longer use the Columbia River in a fully loaded condition."
Henry T. Swigert, Chairman of the Board
ESCO Corporation
"This project is extremely important to the success of the Port of Pasco’s container terminal. The terminal is an integral component of the Columbia-Snake river transportation system, providing transportation service for industries in the region to get their product to the deep water Port of Portland facility. Approximately 100,000 tons are shipped annually from the Port of Pasco terminal to the Port of Portland for international markets. The channel deepening project is imperative to the success of the Columbia Basin to provide accessible routes to the world markets at a competitive price."
O.E. "Ernie" Boston, Jim Klindworth and Del Lathim
Port of Pasco Commissioners
"As the former executive director of the Port of Vancouver, the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project is something near and dear to my heart and is extremely important to all the ports, commerce and citizens located along the Columbia River."
Byron H. Hanke
"From an environmental standpoint, the ecosystem restoration measures that accompany the project will improve salmon habitat in the river and estuary system. The lower Columbia River region has been impacted by several listings of salmon under the Endangered Species Act. In order to absorb the local costs of recovery, we must maintain a strong economy. A viable Columbia River port system is critical to our economy. Abandoning the deepening project would be the precursor to a slide into a second class system, with an attendant lack of investment and deterioration of infrastructure. Simply, it would put fish recovery efforts in jeopardy."
J. Bill Lehning, Joel R. Rupley and Jeff M. Rasmussen
Board of Cowlitz County Commissioners |
