NOR'WESTER NEWSLETTER ISSUE #406                                            Visit us on Facebook! Facebookmasthead

November 18, 2011

In This Issue:
Energy and Water bill update
Congressional Ports Caucus formed
Feds release plan to comply with remand of FCRPS BiOp; will continue work with states and tribes
PNWA 2012 Regional Meetings and Mission to Washington, DC
PNWA finalizes 2012 Policies and Projects

Energy and Water bill update

 

This week the Senate was due to consider the $31.6 billion 2012 Energy and Water appropriations bill as part of a "minibus", (along with Financial Services and Foreign Operations). The Energy & Water bill is the annual vehicle for Corps of Engineers funding.  However, Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Thursday morning it will be delayed until after Thanksgiving.  The delay is due to numerous amendments, slowing the debate.   

                                                                       

In the meantime, the Senate will still consider this week extending to December 16th the continuing resolution that is due to expire November 18th.  The status and consideration of the Energy and Water and other FY12 appropriations bills are likely to be affected by the super committee's announcement by November 23rd on how it plans to reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion.

 

PNWA continues to advocate for robust funding of Corps projects in the Northwest.  To view a detailed list of our requests, please click here.     

Congressional Ports Caucus formed

 

On October 25, 2011, Congresswoman Janice Hahn (D-CA) and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) announced the formation of the bipartisan House Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade, and Security (PORTS) Caucus. According to Congresswoman Hahn's website, the caucus' mission will be to promote the importance of our ports to the nation's economy and the need to secure them. United States ports support 13.3 million jobs and account for $3.15 trillion in business activity to the economy. Its first meeting is scheduled for after the Thanksgiving holiday.  PNWA supports the goals of this new group, and encourages members of the Northwest House delegation to consider joining this caucus.

Feds release plan to comply with remand of FCRPS BiOp; will continue work with states and tribes

 

On Wednesday, the federal agencies announced their plan to comply with Judge James Redden's remand of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion (BiOp). On August 2nd, the Judge ordered the federal agencies to continue current river operations through the end of 2013, while formulating an improved approach to mitigation for 2014 to 2018.

 

In the remand order, Judge Redden directed the federal agencies to continue to collaborate with the sovereigns (states and tribes) to develop the new BiOp. Despite this direction from the Judge, plaintiffs in the case requested appointment of a magistrate judge to convene a settlement conference to debate the scope of the remand process, and an independent panel of scientists to review implementation of the biological opinion.

 

The November 16th court brief and press release from the agencies confirmed that they will follow the Judge's directions in the remand. "We will be using the same collaboration approach we used with the existing biological opinion," said Will Stelle, regional director of NOAA Fisheries. "We will work issues through the regional workgroup of states and tribes that has been overseeing the implementation and share information with all the parties."

PNWA 2012 Regional Meetings and Mission to Washington, DC - Online registration opens December 15

  

Our 2012 Regional Meetings are a key part of ensuring PNWA is aware of your issues and projects as we prepare for the upcoming Mission to Washington and the legislative year ahead. These meetings solidify our key messages and are a great opportunity for you to provide updates on individual priorities and projects, as well as hear from PNWA staff on the latest happenings from around the region. Please note that you do not need to register for the Mission to Washington to attend our Regional Meetings - these are free and provide great value for all who attend.

 

Puget Sound Regional Meeting
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
11:30am-2:00pm
Moffatt & Nichol
One Union Square
600 University Street, Suite 610
Seattle, WA 98101

 

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho Regional Meeting
Friday, February 17, 2012
11:30am-2:00pm
Port of Pasco
Board Room
1110 Osprey Pointe Blvd
Pasco, WA 99301

 

Lower Columbia River/Oregon Coast Regional Meeting
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
12:00pm-3:00pm
Port of Portland
Chinook Room
7200 NE Airport Way
Portland, OR 97218

 

2012 Mission to Washington

 

Join us on Capitol Hill at the beautiful Madison Hotel for PNWA's 2012 Mission to Washington. This annual gathering is a highly anticipated event featuring valuable general sessions with national industry leaders and federal agency staff, as well as one-on-one meetings with our entire Congressional delegation. PNWA is the only organization that is able to deliver these convenient, coordinated meetings with every member of Congress from the Northwest! It is a truly unique advocacy effort and a rare opportunity - make your plans to attend today!

 

2012 Mission to Washington, DC
March 4-8, 2012
The Madison Hotel
1177 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
 
www.loewshotels.com

 

PNWA Room Block: To qualify for PNWA's discounted rate of $249/night, your reservation must be made no later than February 10, 2012. Reservations are accepted by the hotel on a first come, first served basis, and the PNWA room block may become sold out before February 10th.  To guarantee your room, make your reservation *today* by calling 866-563-9792! 

 

Our signature reception on Capitol Hill - Taste the Northwest: The PNWA Mission to Washington "Taste the Northwest" Reception on Capitol Hill is a great opportunity for Members of Congress, Congressional staff, federal agency officials, and industry leaders to meet with each other and with the PNWA membership. As always, we will feature specialty foods and beverages from the Pacific Northwest and we need your help! If you would like to donate foods or beverages from the Northwest, please contact Heather Stebbings by email or at 503-234-8553.

 

Twilight Monument Tour:Washington DC's spectacular monuments at night are not to be missed on this 3 1/2 hour fully narrated tour. We will board the tour bus on Monday, March 5th at 7pm at Union Station and will make stops at the MLK, FDR, Iwo Jima, Lincoln, Korean War Veteran's and Vietnam Veteran's Memorials. This is a beautiful way to see DC's top attractions - we hope you can join us! There is no additional cost for this tour - it is complimentary for each PNWA registrant and their guest! A limited number of seats are available, so be sure to sign up when you register for the meeting.

 

For an example of PNWA's Mission to Washington, take a look at the tremendous program that was presented in 2011!

 

For more information log onto our website or contact Heather Stebbings at [email protected].  

PNWA finalizes 2012 Policies and Projects

 

PNWA has finalized our Policies and Projects for 2012. This document guides our staff priorities and activities for the coming legislative year, and was approved at our Annual Meeting in early October. The document is available on our website and members are encouraged to update us throughout the year as projects and policies develop. Please note that these will be significantly updated in February, after the Administration's FY2013 budget is released.