NOR'WESTER NEWSLETTER ISSUE #344

masthead

September 24, 2009

In This Issue:
Change of command for the Corps' Northwestern Division
U.S. Coast Guard proposes new ballast water standards
ARRA port security grants released - three PNWA member ports receive funding
Brief update on FY2010 appropriations, WRDA, and Section 214
More detailed agenda available for PNWA Annual Meeting
Change of command for the Corps' Northwestern Division
 
Brig. Gen. William Rapp, Commander of the Corps' Northwestern Division (NWD), has been named Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.  Effective November 20, 2009, he will be leaving NWD and handing over control of the Division's $4 billion annual program of civil works, environmental restoration, and military construction programs in more than a dozen states. 
 
BG John McMahon has been assigned to the NWD post, to serve as Commander.  BG McMahon is currently serving as Director, J-7, Engineering, United States Forces-Afghanistan, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan, and will assume command of NWD when he returns from overseas in early winter.  In the interim, NWD's Deputy Commander COL Miroslav Kurka will assume full control of the Division.
 
PNWA has greatly enjoyed working with BG Rapp and we wish him the best of luck at West Point.  We look forward to building a successful partnership with BG McMahon when he arrives in the Northwest and to continuing our work with COL Kurka.    


PNWA Staff Contact: Glenn Vanselow
U.S. Coast Guard proposes new ballast water standards
The U.S. Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would establish more stringent ballast water treatment standards.  The NPRM, which was released on August 28, would apply to nearly all vessels with ballast tanks operating in U.S. waters, including inland barges and towing vessels.  It would also require these vessels to install a Coast Guard approved treatment system by as early as January 1, 2014.     
The Coast Guard will be hosting six public meetings across the nation, to provide stakeholders an opportunity to comment.  PNWA encourages our members to attend the Northwest meeting, September 28th at Hotel 1000 Seattle (1000 First Avenue, Seattle, WA  98104) from 9am-4pm.  Written comments may be submitted at the public meeting, via fax to 202-493-2251 or via the Federal eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov.  Comments must be submitted no later than November 27, 2009.  For further information, contact Mr. John Morris at 202-372-1433 or via email at [email protected]
PNWA Staff Contact: Glenn Vanselow
ARRA port security grants released - three PNWA member ports receive funding
 
Port security grants totaling $150 million were recently announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  These grants were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to pay for port security initiatives nationwide while creating jobs and stimulating local economies.  Specifically, the grants are designed to fund projects that will:
  • protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, particularly attacks using explosives and non-conventional threats that could cause major disruption to commerce
  • enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities
  • support the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

The following three PNWA members will be recipients of grant funding: 

  • Port of Tacoma - $3,367,092
  • Port of Seattle - $794,040
  • Port of Vancouver - $480,735

PNWA strongly supports continued funding of DHS port security grants, and continues to advocate for $400 million in annual appropriations for this program.  PNWA also supports a waiver of cost-share requirements for these grants.

PNWA Staff Contact: Kristin Meira

Brief update on FY2010 appropriations, WRDA, and Section 214
 
FY2010 Appropriations
 
The House and Senate are preparing to pass a one-month continuing resolution (CR) that will temporarily fund the federal government when the new fiscal year begins next Thursday, October 1, 2009.  Most agencies will receive funding in the CR at their current FY2009 levels.
 
With regard to FY2010 energy & water appropriations, both the House and Senate have passed their bills (see PNWA Nor'westers 338 and 339).  The next step is a conference committee to iron out differences between the two bills.  The Senate has named their conferees, including Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), however the House has not.  The House and Senate are currently negotiating on several clauses that affect all appropriations bills.  Once these overarching differences are resolved, the energy & water appropriations conference and others will likely move forward.
 
WRDA
 
As you may remember, Congress passed the last Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in 2007.  The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) is now contemplating the creation of a WRDA 2010.  PNWA members have been polled for projects that would be appropriate for authorization in a WRDA 2010.  When the T&I database goes live and submissions are accepted from House members, we will submit projects and policies that are proposed by our membership.
 
Section 214
 
Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-541) is currently authorized through December 31, 2009.  Since there will be no WRDA bill before the end of the year, PNWA is working with delegation staff to have a short-term extension bill introduced in the next few weeks.  We will keep you updated as the length of the extension is determined, and the date the bill will be introduced.
 
Section 214 allows the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities and to expedite the processing of permits.  The authority has allowed local governments to move forward with vital infrastructure and ecosystem restoration projects.  By funding additional staff to work on specific, time-intensive permits, existing Corps staffers are able to process significant permit backlogs more quickly.  
PNWA Staff Contact: Kristin Meira
More detailed agenda available for PNWA Annual Meeting
PNWA's Annual Meeting is less than three weeks away!  If you haven't made your plans to attend, log on to www.pnwa.net for more information, a newly updated agena, or to register today!   
Program highlights include:
  • A Vision for the Northwest: Thoughts from Regional Corps Leadership
  • 2011 Extended Lock Closure Details
  • PNWA-WPPA Joint Initiative on Regulatory Processes
  • Climate Change Impacts on Northwest Salmon, Hydropower, Agriculture and Ports
  • Effective Partnerships for Industrial, Commercial & Waterfront Development
  • Sediment Evaluation Framework (SEF): the State & Federal Agency Perspectives
  • MARAD's Marine Highway Initiative
  • The Effort to Promote a Sustainable Washington State
Featured speakers:
  • Eric Braun, Senior Navigation Program Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division
  • Kevin Brice, Deputy District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
  • Jason Eisdorfer, Greenhouse Gas Policy Strategist, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)
  • LTC Michael Farrell, District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District
  • Alan Feistner, Deputy District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District
  • Eric Johnson, Executive Director, Washington Public Ports Association
  • Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Senior Manager, Seaport Environmental Programs, Port of Seattle
  • David Leland, Managing Director, Leland Consulting Group
  • COL Steven Miles, District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
  • Jeff Peterson, Principal Environmental Toxicologist, Maul, Foster & Alongi, Inc.
  • David Ponganis, Acting Programs Director, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division
  • James Pugh, Director of the Office of Marine Highways & Passenger Services, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
  • Dr. Claudio O. St�ckle, Professor, Scientist, & Department Chair, Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University (WSU)
  • Bruce Suzumoto, Assistant Regional Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
  • Larry Williams, Assistant Director, Washington Department of Commerce
  • COL Anthony Wright, District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District
  • Steve Wright, Administrator and CEO, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)

We hope to see you in Vancouver!   

PNWA Staff Contact:
Heather Stebbings