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Columbia River Crossing update
The following op-ed was printed in the Portland Tribune on March 15, 2012.
Navigating the CRC
By:
- Kristin Meira, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
- Paul Montague, Executive Director, Identity Clark County and Columbia River Crossing Coalition member
- Sandra McDonough, President & CEO, Portland Business Alliance and Columbia River Crossing Coalition member
The Columbia River Crossing project continues to move forward and make significant progress. In fact, in the coming weeks, we'll see the first preliminary stages of construction get underway.
In recent months the project passed three major milestones:
First, it received a Record of Decision from the federal government. This means that the project has satisfied all environmental requirements and is eligible for federal funding.
Second, the Oregon Supreme Court affirmed the highway, local roadway and light rail improvements envisioned in the river crossing project.
Third, the Washington Legislature approved tolling on the project, providing its major funding resource.
Recently, there have been news reports raising questions about the bridge height for the project. Though it may seem counterintuitive, before the federal environmental approval was completed it was not possible to finalize discussions about the ultimate bridge height. With federal approval now in hand, it is the appropriate time to settle on a final height -- and the project has a plan in place to do just that.
Over the coming months the height of the bridge will be addressed in negotiation with the two states, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and river users. The project is currently reviewing the long-range plans for the ports along the Columbia River and is interviewing the water users to assess their current and future needs.
Striking just the right balance is important, and that's just what the project and their engineering team, in consultation with the Coast Guard, the Corps and a myriad of river users, will do.
As the final details get resolved, we need to stay focused on what the new crossing means for our region. It's important for our economy, livability and the safety of drivers and river operators who face difficult navigation challenges with the current bridge. It is also important from an environmental standpoint. The new bridge will reduce the number of vehicles crossing the Columbia River by providing other commuting options including bicycle, pedestrian and high-capacity light rail to Vancouver and it will capture run-off of pollution before it falls into the river.
It's estimated that $40 billion of freight crosses the Interstate Bridge each year - including freight that arrives at the ports of Portland and Vancouver via the critical inland waterway. Congestion and accidents on the current bridge impact our ability to efficiently move freight. Bridge lifts also bring the flow of traffic, the transport of people and goods, to a complete stop and put our region at an economic disadvantage in the global market.
In the coming weeks the project will see the first stages of pre-construction begin with the boring of test wells on Hayden Island and the Vancouver waterfront to determine the composition of bedrock under the future bridge. As supporters of the project, we're thrilled to see dirt being moved. We're making progress. Just as the project has overcome previous challenges, the bridge height issues will be resolved by coordinating with the stakeholders, creative thinking and solid engineering. |
Public comment period extended for Draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan; PNWA requests feedback from membership
In January, the Administration's National Ocean Council released their Draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan. We requested feedback from the PNWA membership as we developed our comments which were submitted on the original due date of February 27th. The public comment period has been extended to March 28th, 2012 and PNWA is considering submitting supplemental comments to include any additional concerns from our membership.
We request that PNWA members review the document in its entirety here, and send heather.stebbings@Pnwa.net your thoughts no later than Friday, March 23. Please note that PNWA will be monitoring this plan as it is developed and working to ensure that commercial stakeholders are included in the discussion, specifically as the Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning efforts move forward. |
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Senate transportation bill includes HMTF language
This past Wednesday, the full Senate passed their transportation bill (S.1813) with a vote of 74-22. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) reauthorizes surface transportation programs for two years and is funded at $109 billion. This equates to current funding levels, adjusted for inflation. The current bill is in its eighth extension and is set to expire on March 31, 2012.
In the Manager's amendment of MAP-21, language regarding full spending of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) was included. The language is essentially a Sense of the Senate, and is similar to the language included in the House Bill to note support for full spending of annual HMT revenue. The Senate language notes that the Administration should request full use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for operating and maintaining the navigation channels, which is the intended purpose of the trust fund. The Senate also noted that Congress should ensure that other programs, projects, and activities of the Civil Works program of the Corps of Engineers, especially relating to inland navigation and flood control, are not adversely impacted.
As you may remember, the House bill was brought to the floor in mid-February and included over 300 amendments. No agreement on revenue was reached, so the House version is currently being re-worked and may be reintroduced later this month.
PNWA strongly supports full utilization of annual HMTF revenue for operations and maintenance of Northwest coastal navigation projects. To learn more, download PNWA's fact sheet on this issue.
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Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler supports hydropower as a renewable
Last Thursday, Jaime Herrera Beutler, co-founder of the U.S. House Energy Action Team (the HEAT initiative), introduced a bipartisan resolution urging Congress to recognize hydroelectric power as a source of clean, renewable energy. Co-sponsors of the resolution include fellow Washington House Members Norm Dicks, Doc Hastings, Rick Larsen, andCathy McMorris Rodgers. The resolution reads:
"Resolved, that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that hydroelectric power is the most abundant source of clean, renewable energy in the United Sates and should be fully utilized in the Nation's pursuit of energy independence and affordable energy for all people of the United States."
PNWA has a long history of supporting hydropower as a renewable and working to ensure that the Northwest hydropower system remains efficient, reliable and cost competitive. We look forward to working with Congresswoman Herrera Beutler and our entire Northwest delegation to move forward the effort to recognize hydropower as renewable energy.
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Washington and Oregon Sea Grant work to schedule National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium
Washington and Oregon Sea Grant are co-hosting the third National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium to be held in Tacoma, Washington in March 2013. This Symposium will build on the previous symposiums in Norfolk, VA (2007) and Portland, ME (2010. The goals of these events have been to "increase awareness of the economic, social, cultural, and environmental values of waterfronts, and the important role of water-dependent uses in sustainable coastal communities."
Washington and Oregon Sea Grant programs request feedback to assist in the planning of the event. Please fill out the following survey if you would like to attend: (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KV757QQ). If you have any questions, please contact wwater13@u.washington.edu.
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PNWA tours Columbia Snake River System navigation projects
This past week during the Columbia Snake River System annual maintenance closure, the Northwest Congressional delegation and PNWA members and staff were invited to tour Bonneville and Little Goose dams. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted this unique opportunity to view the lock gates and other important structures when they are dewatered for their annual inspection, maintenance and repairs. Attendees were able to walk within the lock chambers of both Little Goose and Bonneville to get an up close look at its inner workings. The power house and fish facility at Little Goose were also toured. Many thanks to both the Portland and Walla Walla Districts of the Corps for hosting these tours, and to our members and friends who were able to attend.
Group photo inside the lock chamber at Bonneville lock & dam
Little Goose navigation lock dewatered, looking upstream |
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PNWA welcomes two new members!
PNWA welcomes SDS lumber from Bingen, Washington. SDS was founded in 1946 and manufactures Lumber, Plywood, Power, and Pulp for a variety of markets. SDS also has a Tug & Barge division with a complete line of marine services on the Columbia River. For more information on SDS please visit: www.SDSlumber.com. PNWA's designated representative is Jason Spadaro who can be reached at, Jasons@sdslumber.com.
PNWA also welcomes PBS Engineering + Environmental, which provides professional consulting and project delivery services throughout our eight offices in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Their services include: Geo-Environmental, Health & Safety, Geotechnical & Civil Engineering, and Natural Resource Planning. PBS offers a broad range of professional services with a staff of over 100 professionals specializing in project management, building and site assessment; value engineering, project design, permitting, and construction oversight. Their current work includes drainage and design improvements for streams and rivers; water quality permitting for municipal and commercial clients; and environmental support for port authorities across the Northwest, including the Port Portland, Seattle, Tillamook, and Vancouver. For more information on PBS please visit: www.pbsevn.com. PNWA's designated representative is Tim Leavitt who can be reached at, tim.leavitt@pbsenv.com. |
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