Plaintiffs' Columbia River salmon BiOp motions due this Friday
Plaintiffs motions and arguments challenging the 2008 BiOp and the 2010 Supplemental BiOp and Adaptive Management Implementation Plan are due this Friday, October 20th. Based on previous filings, it is expected that plaintiffs will challenge the jeopardy standard used in issuing the BiOp. They also are expected to argue for additional measures, such as increased spill, more specific habitat project definitions and re-calculation of benefits from habitat projects. And, despite continuing record returns of adult salmon and steelhead to the Columbia and Snake Rivers, plaintiffs are expected to argue that salmon are on the brink of extinction. PNWA staffs the Inland Ports and Navigation Group. IPNG, Northwest RiverPartners, three of the four Northwest states, three of the four Treaty Tribes and three non-treat Tribes make up the defense coalition. The defense replies to the plaintiffs' motions are due December 23, 2010. It is likely that Judge Redden will hold a hearing in January or February. He could issue a decision anytime thereafter. PNWA staff contact: Glenn Vanselow |
Extended Lock Maintenance Closure Conference Call set for November 2
The next U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Columbia-Snake extended lock closure conference call will be held Tuesday, November 2nd at 10:30 PDT. The call will include a detailed update of the gate fabrication schedules and installation plans for The Dalles, John Day and Lower Monumental locks, as well as updates on the closure schedule for the remaining five locks on the system.
The call will primarily be a listening session for attendees, but the Corps will open the line for a brief question and answer session following the presentation. To participate, call (888) 622-5357 and the access code is 664567. To ensure that the Corps can address your questions, please e-mail them in advance to Scott Clemans. If you are unable to participate in this call, a transcript and recording of the call will be available at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/navigation/lockoutage.asp.
PNWA staff contact: Kristin Meira |
Walla Walla District Navigation Meeting set for November 8
The Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold their fall navigation stakeholder meeting on Monday, November 8, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at their headquarters, located at 201 North 3rd Avenue, Walla Walla WA 99362. Agenda topics include but are not limited to Lower Monumental downstream gate replacement and navlock wall repair, additional work planned for the extended lock maintenance closure this winter, Programmatic Sediment Management Plan (PSMP), annual condition surveys, and more. To attend, please rsvp to Ann Glassley. PNWA staff contact: Kristin Meira |
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National Committee on Levee Safety Workshop in Portland on November 9
The National Committee on Levee Safety (NCLS) is conducting workshops around the country regarding their recommendations to Congress for a National Levee Safety Program. A workshop will be held in Portland on Tuesday, November 9th from 10:00am-4:00pm at the Courtyard by Marriott - City Center. Stakeholders from around the region, including state, regional, and local agencies, and elected officials engaged in levee safety issues, levee owners and operators, floodplain managers, planners, emergency managers, local and regional business interests, environmental interests, economic development interests, public health and safety interests are urged to attend. R.S.V.P. Liz Rettenmaier at lrettenmaier@thecounciloak.com. To learn more about the recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program, please visit www.leveesafety.com.
PNWA staff contact: Glenn Vanselow |
