NOR'WESTER NEWSLETTER ISSUE #347

masthead

October 30, 2009
In This Issue:
FY2010 energy & water appropriations bill becomes law
FY2010 energy & water appropriations bill becomes law
 
The conferenced FY2010 Energy & Water Development appropriations bill was signed into law by President Obama on Wednesday, becoming P.L. 111-85.
 
Five Northwest navigation projects supported by PNWA's membership received funding increases for FY2010:
  • Coos Bay O&M - $4,591,000 in budget, $4,904,000 in conference report (supported by Senators Wyden and Merkley, and Congressman DeFazio)
  • Elliott Bay Seawall, WA study - zero in Administration budget, $462,000 in conference report (supported by Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressmen Dicks, Larsen and McDermott)
  • Humboldt Bay Long-Term Shoal Management feasibility study - zero in Administration budget, $90,000 in conference report (supported by Senator Feinstein)
  • Columbia River at Baker Bay (Port of Ilwaco) O&M - $86,000 in budget, $674,000 in conference report (supported by Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressman Baird)
  • Columbia River b/t Chinook & Sand Island (Port of Chinook) O&M - $7,000 in budget, $771,000 in conference report (supported by Senator Murray and Congressman Baird)
Most other PNWA-supported projects received the amount suggested in the Administration budget, or received a very slim reduction.  The conference agreement provided $2.4B nationwide for O&M, which was a reduction from the House level of $2.511B as well as the Senate level of $2.45B. 
 
Despite the relatively modest gains for Northwest navigation projects in this bill, it should be remembered that PNWA projects received a tremendous amount of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Significant examples include the Columbia River channel deepening, John Day Lock, Lower Monumental Lock and the north jetty at Garibaldi. Not only were many current-year navigation needs met through ARRA, but several major maintenance projects were enabled.  For more information on PNWA's FY2010 appropriations final snapshot as well as information on ARRA funding, visit our website www.pnwa.net and click on http://www.pnwa.net/new/navigation.aspx. 
 
PNWA would like to thank the entire Northwest Congressional delegation for their support throughout the year for navigation projects in our region.

PNWA staff contact: Kristin Meira