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PNWA Nor'wester Issue #373
NMFS grants one year extension for FEMA NFIP implementation
PNWA members invited to support DERA reauthorization
Registration details: PNWA Annual Meeting
NMFS grants one year extension for FEMA NFIP implementation
 
National Marine Fisheries Service granted FEMA a one-year extension, to September 22, 2011, to demonstrate compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program BiOp for Puget Sound.
 
A PNWA-WPPA working group has been meeting with FEMA since May to recommend changes to FEMA's draft Model Ordinance (MO). That effort will continue over the next year. The original draft MO would have severely restricted the ability of ports to expand existing facilities or develop new ones. While some progress had been made, we welcome this extension. It will allow us to continue to work with FEMA to develop an MO that will meet FEMA's ESA requirements and port development needs.
 
FEMA consulted with NMFS after being directed to do so by the US District Court in Seattle. The draft MO was developed for Puget Sound, but the consultation was statewide. It is not clear when NMFS will complete an NFIP BiOp for the entire state of Washington, but it is forthcoming. A similar lawsuit in Oregon was recently settled. Under the settlement agreement for that case, FEMA has requested consultation with NMFS for their NFIP activities in Oregon. Ultimately, ports and other waterfront landowners throughout Washington and Oregon will be required to demonstrate that their developments in or adjacent to the flood plain do not negatively affect endangered species.
 
Optional: Thanks are due to Gov. Chris Gregoire's office and the offices of Senators Murray and Cantwell for their attention to this important issue.
 
PNWA will continue to work with the region's ports, WPPA and FEMA on the Puget Sound MO, as it will likely serve as a model for the rest of the region.
 
PNWA staff contact: Glenn Vanselow
PNWA members invited to support DERA reauthorization - 9/16 deadline
 
PNWA has signed on to a letter (attached) to Senators Carper and Voinovich supporting the reauthorization of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.  Authorized as part of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the DERA program allows EPA to provide funding to rebuild, repower or replace vehicles and equipment, to improve air quality and protect public health.  Several PNWA-member ports have received DERA funding in past years.  The program is scheduled to sunset at the end of FY2011. If you would like to add your organization's name to the letter, please contact Meghan Higgins at Meghan.Higgins@ajw-inc.com no later than 3pm Pacific Time on Thursday, September 16th.
 
PNWA staff contact:  Kristin Meira
Registration details: PNWA Annual Meeting
 
PNWA's Annual Meeting, October 13-15 at The Davenport Hotel in Spokane, WA is scheduled to be an outstanding event.  Our packed agenda features stand-out speakers and will provide the perfect platform to continue our dialogue on how we can position the Northwest as a leader in our nation's future.  Log on to our website for more information or to register today!
 
Additional meeting scheduled - PNWA work group on National Ocean Policy
PNWA has scheduled an additional meeting to take place during the 2010 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 14th at 4:15pm.  We will be convening a work group to discuss the Administration's recently adopted National Ocean Policy, the eventual roll-out of coastal marine spatial planning (CMSP), and the potential effects on maritime activities in the Northwest.  All PNWA members are encouraged to participate, as we begin to track this emerging policy area.       
 
Highlighted Speaker - U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. McMorris Rodgers was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2004 and is currently serving her third term representing Washington's Fifth Congressional District.  In addition to supporting policies to give wider opportunities to families and small businesses in Eastern Washington, Rep. McMorris Rodgers also serves on the House Natural Resources Committee.  This committee has jurisdiction over the Bonneville Power Administration, Bureau of Reclamation irrigation projects (Columbia Basin Project and Yakima Project), endangered species recovery, and federal hydropower projects.  On this committee, she has served as a great advocate for dams on the Columbia Snake River System and the hydropower benefits they produce.  She has also been an outspoken supporter of the 2008 FCRPS Biological Opinion.  PNWA is very appreciative of the Congresswoman's continued support and looks forward to welcoming her at our meeting in October.  
 
Additional Featured Speakers:
Rep. Eric Anderson, Idaho State House of Representatives
Greg Guthrie, Director, Marketing Development Agricultural Products, BNSF Railway
Kris Mikkelson, CEO, Inland Power & Light
MaryLou Soscia, Columbia River Coordinator, EPA Region 10
Debrah Marriot, Executive Director, Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership
Matt Cutts, Critical Infrastructure Program Manager, USACE, Portland District                    
Hal Thomas, Business Line Manager, Operations Division, USACE, Walla Walla District
Steve Wirsching, Executive Director, U.S. Wheat Associates
Eric Anderson, WDFW Enforcement, Aquatic Invasive Species Unit
Craig Simpson, Manager, East Columbia Basin Irrigation District
Mike Schwisow, Director of Government Relations, Columbia Basin Development League
Chris Voigt, Executive Director, Washington Potato Commission 
Ken Casavant, Professor of Economics, Washington State University
Sara Simmons, Graduate Student and Research Assistant, Washington State University
 
Featured Topics:
CSRS Extended Lock Closure: Update from the Corps
Historical Waterborne Commerce on the Columbia-Snake River System, 1991-2010
Northwest Rail Update
Grain Developments: Sustainable Agriculture and Transportation Challenges
Protecting the Northwest from Invasive Species
Marketing U.S. Wheat Overseas
Regional Power Issues
Columbia River Restoration Act (CRRA)
Columbia Basin Project
Hood River Delta Project
And much more!
 
For additional information, log on to our website at www.pnwa.net.  Online registration is available at http://pnwa.net/new/2010_annual_registration.aspx.  We look forward to seeing you in Spokane!
PNWA staff contact: Heather Stebbings