The Port of Chinook received tremendous news last week, learning that an additional $1.5 million will be provided for dredging the significant sedimentation that had accumulated in the federal navigation channel after last winter's storms.  Shoaling was making it difficult to navigate the channel, and mariners were forced to only use the channel when the tides were favorable.  Port officials were trying to avoid a situation that would have diverted fishermen - and jobs - away from the Chinook marina, a critical part of the local economy.
 
Port Manager Dan Todd noted that "we are so grateful for all the hard work of Senator Murray, Congressman Baird, the Corps of Engineers, and PNWA for making this channel maintenance project a reality."
 
The Corps of Engineers had only received $229,000 for FY2008 to perform maintenance dredging for the federal channel that serves the port.  This number was far short of the amount needed to clear shoaling in the channel, especially after the severe storms in late 2007.
 
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Brian Baird stepped in, conveying their concerns directly to Corps leaders in Washington, DC.  A contract dredge from Manson Construction was already prepared to remove sediment from the federal channel at Ilwaco.  This provided the perfect opportunity to also address sediment in Chinook's channel - if emergency funding could be found.  The additional $1.5 million for Chinook's federal channel was included in the recently completed FY2008 emergency supplemental spending package.
 
"The channel at the Port of Chinook has reached a crisis point, and port officials were afraid they wouldn't be able to stay open.  We made it clear to the Corps that we needed to take action - and we needed to take action now," Senator Murray said.  "With the additional money - and by using a dredge that is already in the area - we can save on mobilization costs and keep the channel open for the crabbers and fishermen who call the Port of Chinook home.  I'm glad we were able to convince the Corps that fully dredging the Port of Chinook is essential to preserve jobs and keep the local economy going."
 
"The Port of Chinook pumps millions of dollars into the Pacific County economy every year, and the Corps' original plan for cleaning it up was simply unacceptable," Congressman Baird said.  "For months, Senator Murray and I simply refused to take no for answer, and we pushed for a solution like this.  Getting this money was literally a matter of survival for the fishing industry in the port.  It will not only benefit the people who live and work there, but all of Southwest Washington.  Senator Murray and I were committed to doing everything possible get this dredging project in motion and thankfully our hard work paid off in the end."
 
Port of Chinook officials note that local businesses handled over 3.5 million pounds of crab in 2007, with an estimated market value in excess of $8.5 million.  In addition, over 180,000 pounds of other seafood products are processed at the port, worth over $500,000.  About 350 jobs are associated with businesses that rely on the Port of Chinook, with more than fifteen port-dependent businesses.
 
Maintenance dredging on the federal channel should commence early next week, and will last between sixty and ninety days.  The shoaling in the channel is expected to be fully addressed, with roughly 240,000 cubic yards of sediment removed.  Barring any adverse weather events, the channel should remain clear and not need any additional dredging for five to six years.
 
PNWA would like to thank Senator Murray and Congressman Baird for their dedication to solving this funding issue.
 
PNWA Staff Contact: Kristin Meira