NOR'WESTER NEWSLETTER ISSUE #424                                            Visit us on Facebook! Facebookmasthead

May 16, 2012

In This Issue:
PNWA seeking assistance from membership regarding regulatory policies
National Ocean Policy update
Join us! PNWA Open House - Friday, June 1st
PNWA Summer Conference: Register Today!
PNWA welcomes newest member: Morrow Pacific
Port of Longview opens search for Chief Executive Officer

PNWA seeking assistance from membership regarding regulatory policies 

 

A few times a year, federal agencies request stakeholder feedback regarding regulatory issues and processes.  While PNWA often provides general feedback from comments we receive from our membership, we would like to include more technical information to help make the federal agency's permitting and regulatory processes work better for our members.     

 

During our regional meetings earlier this year, we brought up the notion of forming a regulatory working committee comprised of environmental and regulatory experts within our membership.  A handful of our members offered their services and we thank you.  For those who did not attend a regional meeting and are interested in participating, please contact Kristin Meira at kristin.meira@pnwa.net or 503-234-8556.  Your hands on experience and knowledge of what works and what does not work will greatly enhance our comments.  We anticipate reaching out to this group 3-5 times per year, and communicating mainly by email and/or phone.          

  
Washington View: Columbia River dams make life better in the Northwest
Op-ed by Don Brunell, President, Association of Washington Businesses

In 1942, the completion of Grand Coulee Dam was hailed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Seventy years later, most of us aren't aware of what that dam or the others on the Columbia River continue to do for us.

To commemorate Grand Coulee's completion, the Bonneville Power Administration commissioned legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie to write songs praising the dam that harnessed the mighty Columbia River.

 

Guthrie toured the region from the Bonneville Dam to Grand Coulee, and within a month he had written 26 songs, the most famous of which is "Roll On Columbia."  "And on up the river is Grand Coulee Dam, the mightiest thing ever built by a man, to run these great factories and water the land, it's roll on, Columbia, roll on."

 

Recently, I drove most of Guthrie's route and saw eight of the 11 dams now operating on the Columbia in Washington. Most had their floodgates open, spilling water to move young salmon to the ocean. At Grand Coulee, flood control was the concern as operators dropped its massive reservoir to handle spring runoff from the mountains of Montana, Idaho and British Columbia.

 

When I arrived home in Vancouver, the Columbia was at its high-water mark, as it often is this time of year, but it wasn't flooding. That's in stark contrast to the scene on May 30, 1948 when a levee on the flood-swollen Columbia River ruptured, sending a 10-foot-high wall of water crashing into Vanport (North Portland). Sixteen people died and Vanport -- at the time, Oregon's second-largest city -- disappeared forever.

 

President Harry Truman flew west to see the devastation. Speaking to an audience in Portland, Truman said the flooding could have been averted if a network of dams along the Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers was in place. He scolded Congress and told them to get off the dime and fund the Bureau of Reclamation to complete its flood-control projects.

 

Over the next 20 years, the McNary, The Dalles and John Day dams were completed on the lower Columbia and the Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams were completed on the lower Snake, adding flood-control capacity, creating a 465-mile water transportation network, and generating much-needed hydropower.

 

Darkness to dawn

One verse of Guthrie's song talks about the electricity generated by the dams as "turning our darkness to dawn."

 

Washington's Columbia River dams produce enough power each year to provide electricity for nearly 7 million homes. In fact, the Grand Coulee Dam is the largest producer of electricity in the United States.

 

The electricity from those dams made it possible for the aluminum industry to locate in the Northwest and for Boeing to build B-17s and B-29s during World War II. Boeing became the world's premier aircraft manufacturer due largely to affordable and reliable electricity.

 

Grand Coulee alone transformed 671,000 acres of desert into some of the world's most fertile farmlands. According to the federal Bureau of Reclamation, the Columbia River Basin Project produces $630 million worth of irrigated crops, $950 million in power production, $20 million in flood damage prevention, and $50 million in recreation income.

 

For most of us, the dams have always been here. We never knew a time without them, when electricity was scarce, when we struggled to grow crops on barren land and lived in fear of raging floodwaters.

 

But we shouldn't take them for granted.


Some activists want to remove the dams -- but consider what our lives would be like without them.

National Ocean Policy Update

Since the release of the National Ocean Council's Draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan
in early January, many concerns among Congress and various industry groups have surfaced. These
concerns have been voiced as part of an effort to achieve a pause in policy implementation to provide
more time for oversight and examination of its potential impacts.

A continuation of this effort moved forward last week, when the U.S. House of Representatives approved their FY2013 Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill. This is the bill that funds the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and as such, implementation of portions of the Administration's National Ocean Policy. The bill included an amendment that prohibits the use of FY2013 funds to implement National Ocean Policy. Following the passage of the bill, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings released a statement saying that "Without knowing the potential jobs and economic ramifications of the Policy, nor the amount of time, money and resources it will cost to implement, it is imperative that we halt funding so that these questions can be answered and proper Congressional oversight can be conducted."

PNWA will continue to monitor this process, to ensure that commercial stakeholders are included in the discussion as legislation and Administration efforts evolve. Click here to read our comments on the draft implementation plan and for more information, please contact Heather Stebbings.

Join us! PNWA Open House - Friday, June 1st  


On Friday, June 1st, PNWA will host an open house to debut our new headquarters at the historic  
Weatherly Building in SE Portland! We invite our members and friends to join us for drinks and hors 
d'oeuvres at 516 SE Morrison Street, Suite 1000, Portland OR 97214 from 3-6pm. Please note that 
we do not have designated visitor parking; however there are typically many one- and two-hour street 
parking spots available in the building vicinity. No RSVP is required - we look forward to seeing you on June 1!

 

PNWA Summer Conference: Online Registration is Now Available

 

Join us in Seattle, WA June 27-29, for the 2012 PNWA Summer Conference! Our agenda will focus on meeting current and emerging issues head on, tackling challenges and capitalizing on opportunities for navigation and energy stakeholders in the Northwest. Thought provoking and relevant speakers will address the membership and Northwest ports, energy interests, navigation stakeholders and community leaders will discuss efforts to help our region continue to grow. Make your plans to join us and register today!

 

Speaker & Topic Highlights

  • USACE Seattle District: Priorities for 2012 and Efforts in the No-Earmark Era
  • Emissions Control Area Regulations - New Standards, New Challenges
  • Campaign 2012: The Political Outlook for the Presidential and NW Delegation Elections
  • Dredge Material Management Program - USACE Update and Innovative Disposal Solutions
  • Puget Sound Action Plan - Working Together To Promote an Environmentally Sound Region
  • Washington Council on International Trade - Policies and Priorities for 2012
  • Global Coal Perspective: What is Driving Recent Market Developments?
  • Exports Through Puget Sound Ports - The Impact On Our PNW Economy
  • USACE IWR Report: Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy - Options for the Future
  • Case Study Overview: Port of Tacoma, NOAA & USACE Work to Coordinate Bathymetric Surveys
  • Washington Board of Maritime Pilots: Challenges of Ensuring Safe, Reliable Service While Ensuring Gateways Remain Cost Competitive
  • Much, much more!

Draft Agenda

Wednesday, June 27

10:00am PNWA Executive Committee Meeting
1:00-4:30pm General Session
5:00-7:00pm PNWA Reception (guests welcome!)

Thursday, June 28

8:00am Breakfast & Speaker
9:30-11:30am General Session
11:30am Lunch & Speaker
1:00-4:00pm General Session
4:00pm IPNG Meeting (IPNG members only, please)

Friday, June 29

8:00-11:00am Board of Directors Meeting (all PNWA members may attend)

 

Marriott Seattle Waterfront

This year's event will be held in the heart of downtown Seattle at the Marriott Seattle Waterfront, Washington's most popular waterfront district near Pike Place Market. From your guest rooms, you will see incredible views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains and the majestic Mount Rainier. This is a truly great venue for both business and pleasure - make your plans to attend today. We look forward to seeing you in Seattle!

 

To make your hotel reservations online, please click here. The group code for making online reservations is "pnwpnwa".  For more information event, log onto our website or contact Heather Stebbings at 503-234-8553 or heather.stebbings@pnwa.net.  

 

PNWA welcomes newest member: Morrow Pacific

We are pleased to announce Morrow Pacific as our newest member. Morrow Pacific is a subsidiary of
Ambre Energy North America, an emerging energy leader with head offices in Salt Lake City. Ambre is building the infrastructure to serve strong and growing export markets.

The Morrow Pacific project is being developed to provide a coal export route to U.S. trade allies in Asia. The project will ship low-sulfur Powder River Basin coal to the Port of Morrow by train. From there,barges will move the coal to Port Westward Industrial Park at the Port of St. Helens. The coal will then betransferred directly from the barges to oceangoing vessels bound for Japan, South Korea or Taiwan.

The Morrow Pacific project has received option agreements with both the Port of Morrow and Port of St.Helens and is currently moving through the permitting process with the Army Corps of Engineers and theOregon Department of State Lands.

For more information, visit www.MorrowPacific.com or email info@morrowpacific.com.
Port of Longview opens search for Chief Executive Officer

Posted Date: May 15, 2012
Closing Date: June 22, 2012

About the Port
The Port of Longview has been operating since 1921 and today has eight marine terminals and waterfront industrial property located on the deep-draft Columbia River, 66 miles from the Pacific Ocean in southwest Washington State. 

The Port plays an important role in economic development by creating jobs in manufacturing and international trade. It develops infrastructure to support these jobs at its marine terminals and industrial property, creating a positive economic ripple that strengthens the local community.

Since 1921 international trade has grown and the types of cargos handled by the Port have diversified. Cargo handling specialties include all types of bulk cargos and breakbulk commodities such as steel, lumber, logs, pulp, paper, wind energy, project and heavy-lift cargo.

Position Description
Appointed by the Board of Commissioners, and serving at the discretion of the Commission, the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for overall Port operations including marine terminal operations, financial accounting oversight, property development and short and long-term planning and execution.

The Port of Longview's Chief Executive Officer will: 
  • Ensure the long-term financial and competitive stability of the Port through smart investment decisions, long-range strategic planning and effective goal-setting and accountability.         
  • Continue to develop and implement a strategic plan to advance the Port's vision, mission and goals and execute that strategic direction internally and externally.        
  • Promote a positive image for the Port through communication with the trade and Port communities.  He or she will also effectively market the Port domestically and internationally to attract and retain business. 
  • Empower the Port's team and encourage organizational development.  He or she will have an exceptional track record that points to success in motivating and inspiring people. 
  • Attract and develop successful large-scale capital projects (terminal development, land acquisition, environmental reclamations).
Credentials
  • Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred.  
  • Ten (10) years management experience in the maritime industry with at least five years (5) at the senior executive level (preferred).  Previous experience working for a port authority is desirable.
  • Must have in-depth experience in the international trade arena in a complex, fast-paced environment with a diverse workforce. 
  • Only candidates who have previously worked in the United States and are eligible to work in the U.S. without restrictions will be considered.
  • The Port of Longview's next CEO will ideally bring demonstrated:  
  • Negotiation skills, political acuity, excellent client/customer relations skills and exceptional public engagement skills.
  • Experience developing and leading successful teams in a complex organization.
  • Experience leading a successful commercial enterprise with public accountabilities.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with a Board of Directors, elected and appointed leaders of other Ports, federal and state officials, leaders of regulatory agencies and citizen groups.
  • Ability to achieve public policy outcomes consistent with the Port's mission.
Compensation
  • Base salary: $130-170K + $600 p/month car allowance.
  • The Port of Longview provides a competitive benefits package for employees, including medical and dental care, holidays and other paid time off, retirement, life and disability, and other benefits.
Applications
Candidates are asked to submit the following materials to be considered for the position.
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • List of 5 professional references (including at least two from former bosses and at least one from a former employee).
  • 10 year salary history (please provide base salary plus any extra compensation elements, including bonus, car allowance, etc.) 
Please submit credentials to Susan Shey Dvonch at Shey-Harding Associates, Executive Recruiters, no later than June 22, 2012. Email: sue@shey-harding.com. Phone: (562) 799-8854. Internet: