MARAD solicits recommendations for short sea shipping routes
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) is soliciting recommendations for short sea transportation routes to be designated as "Marine Highway Corridors" and to seek further comment on the Marine Highway program as set forth in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Comments will be accepted until February 6th, 2009.
MARAD aims to establish a new national network of marine highways to help move cargo across the country in order to cut congestion on some of the nation's busiest highways. The "Marine Highways" initiative calls for the selection and designation of key maritime inland and coastal maritime corridors as marine highways.
PNWA staff has already begun working with Northwest ports with an interest in this new program. We are also reaching out to our colleagues with the California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference (CMANC) to determine if a coast-wide effort is appropriate. Finally, PNWA staff will be meeting with MARAD officials in Washington DC next Tuesday to discuss this initiative, and better understand the kinds of funding and other assistance that may be available for these corridors if this effort moves forward.
PNWA staff will provide more information and guidance as details become available. We appreciate the effort by MARAD to highlight the potential of our navigation corridors to ease freight congestion on the nation's highways, and we look forward to participating in this endeavor.
PNWA contact: Kristin Meira |
FY2009 port security grant program guidance announced
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released the guidelines and application process for the FY2009 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). Under the guidelines, ports in Groups I and II will compete for funding within their designated Maritime Security Areas based on their risk analysis, while ports in Group III, "All Other Port Areas" and ferry systems will compete for funding within their corresponding groups. The $388.6 million available for the PSGP will be used by ports to enhance maritime domain awareness, protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, conduct training and exercises, and to implement the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). After extensive outreach to grant participants and stakeholders, FEMA has made significant changes to the previous versions of the program. The FY2009 version includes changes to the improvised explosive device priority and the cost sharing requirement which can now be met by a cash or in-kind match. Another change to be noted is the fiduciary agent requirement, which obliges Groups I and II port areas to apply for grants through their fiduciary agent, while Group III, "All Other Port Areas" and ferry systems must apply directly to FEMA. Applications will be available shortly at www.grants.gov and must be submitted electronically by January 13th, 2009. DHS will then evaluate the applications and act on them within 60 days of the submission deadline. For additional information, including detailed guidance and application kits, log on to www.fema.gov/grants, or contact Chris Rizzuto at 202-786-9450. PNWA contact: Glenn Vanselow |
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PNWA staff in Washington DC next week
PNWA staff will be in Washington DC next week (December 1st - 3rd) to touch base with the Northwest delegation and other decision-makers now that the election season has concluded and transition planning has begun. PNWA will meet with legislative staff for several sitting Senators and House members from Oregon, Washington and Idaho, as well as senior policy staffers at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and MARAD. Given the current economic uncertainty as well as the coming changes in the Administration and Congress, we will review PNWA 2009 priorities for navigation funding and policy, regulatory policy, and discuss how we might best be a resource to our colleagues in DC for the coming year. PNWA contact: Kristin Meira |
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PNWA Mission to Washington and Regional Meeting online registration to open December 1, 2008
2009 commemorates PNWA's 75th annual Mission to Washington, DC. We invite you to join us in our nation's capitol to help make a lasting impression on the people whose decisions affect our businesses the most. As a community, we are facing challenging times. Now more than ever, the PNWA membership needs to provide a unified voice in support of navigation in the Northwest. The PNWA Mission to Washington is one extremely powerful way to do that.
This event is an amazing opportunity to hear from informative and enthusiastic speakers, regional industry leaders and federal agency staff, as well as meet one-on-one with every member of our Northwest delegation. The impact of this event relies heavily on the number of PNWA members in attendance. Help us show leaders in DC the importance of our Northwest navigation community at a time when it matters most. Make your plans to attend today!
2009 Mission to Washington, DC
The Washington Court Hotel 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001 Reservations: 800-321-3010 www.washingtoncourthotel.com PNWA negotiated room rate: $279/night Help show DC what the Northwest has to offer
2009 also marks our 75th Taste the Northwest reception! This reception takes place during our Mission to Washington, and provides a unique opportunity for Members of Congress, Congressional staff, federal agency officials, and industry leaders to meet casually with each other and with the PNWA membership. As always, we will feature Pacific Northwest foods and beverages generously supported and donated by PNWA members. If you would like to arrange for donation of food or beverages, or provide monetary support this event, please contact Heather Kenneson at 503-234-8553. 2009 Regional Meetings - take advantage of these free events! Attend the PNWA Regional Meetings in February and help prepare our priority issues to take to Capitol Hill during our annual Mission to Washington, DC. These meetings are free to all PNWA members and are a great way to update the staff on your latest projects and issues. Please note that you do not need to register for the Mission to Washington to attend the Regional Meetings. There will be valuable and interesting information for all who wish to attend! Puget Sound Regional Meeting February 10, 2009 ∙ 11:30am-2:00pm Moffat & Nichol Conference Room 600 University Street, Suite 610 Seattle, WA 98101 Tri-Cities Regional Meeting
February 12, 2009 ∙ 11:30am - 2:00pm Port of Benton, Conference Room 3100 George Washington Way Richland, WA 99354 Portland/Vancouver Regional Meeting
February 13, 2009 ∙ 11:00am-2:00pm Port of Portland, Commission Room 121 NW Everett Street Portland, OR 97209 PNWA contact: Heather Kenneson |
