Stimulus funding received to complete the Columbia River
channel deepening
PNWA is pleased to announce
that the Columbia River channel deepening will receive an additional $26.6
million in stimulus package funding to complete the project. The FY2009 Omnibus
appropriations bill provided funding to complete nearly all of the sand
dredging and ecosystem restoration for the project. This final increment of
funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will
allow the Corps of Engineers to remove one mile of rock near St. Helens and complete
all of the other work necessary to provide a 43-foot navigation channel from
the Mouth of the Columbia River to the Ports of Portland and Vancouver.
"This is a big victory for
our state and the entire Northwest," said Senator Murray. "After years and
years of work, we are now on the verge of ensuring the Columbia River remains
the economic engine of the Northwest. A deeper channel will enable us to
accommodate the modern fleet of larger ships which will help save jobs and keep
our state's goods moving."
"The region owes a big thank
you to U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) for leading the charge with the Corps
and OMB to secure this much-needed funding," said Glenn Vanselow, executive
director of Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA). "We also thank U.S.
Representative Brian Baird (D-WA, 3) for joining Sen. Murray in this effort and
the entire Northwest Congressional delegation for their long-term support of
navigation on the river," Vanselow added.
Completion of the deepening
will provide significant economic benefits to the nation and the region:
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$16 billion in exports and imports are transported via the Columbia River each
year.
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The Columbia River is the single largest wheat and barley export gateway in the
nation.
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The Columbia is the third largest grain (wheat, corn, soybeans and barley)
export gateway in the world.
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An
additional 6,000 tons of wheat worth $1 million can be loaded on each ship in a
deeper channel.
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Similarly, a container ship could carry 6,000 tons of additional cargo worth
$10 million (e.g. exported frozen potatoes, vegetables and paper products and
imported footwear and apparel).
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Approximately 40,000 jobs, each with an average annual wage of $46,000, depend
upon Columbia River maritime activity. An additional 59,000 jobs are positively
influenced.
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Regional exporters save $68 million a year by shipping their containerized
cargo through the Port of Portland as opposed to more distant ports.
PNWA staff contact: Kristin Meira
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