Long-time Port of Pasco Commissioner and PNWA friend Ernie Boston passed away on May 30th. Ernie was a great community and economic development leader in the Tri-Cities, serving over 17 years as a port commissioner. He was a staunch advocate for the Columbia and Snake River System, and a leader in both the Inland Ports and Navigation Group and within PNWA.  

Our staff and membership will greatly miss Ernie. He was a person who brought integrity, honesty and a wealth of experience to our association. He and his wife Betty, who often attended our PNWA events together, were colleagues and friends to many of us and were great supporters of PNWA and our mission. While we will certainly miss Ernie's presence, his legacy and work will be felt for many, many years to come.  

Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/06/05/1971044/ernie-boston-sought-results-not.html#storylink=cpy. A memorial celebration for Ernie will be at 11 a.m. June 30, at Einan's Memories at Sunset Event Center, 915 Highway 240, Richland.

On June 6, the House approved their FY2013 Energy & Water Development Appropriations bill.  The bill retained funding levels approved by the House Appropriations Committee in early May, and included a total of $4.8 billion for the Corps of Engineers.   The bill also contained a record $1 billion from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of deep draft and coastal ports and harbors.  This is a substantial increase over previous years' funding from the HMTF. 

The final House bill also retained the $189.258 million for additional O&M.   While they did not divide the money into specific funding pots for deep draft, inland and coastal projects, the bill did include language directing $30 million to small waterway projects around the nation.  PNWA will continue to strongly advocate for retention of these additional monies as the appropriations process move forward.  For more information, view the full text legislation or the accompanying bill report.  For a full list of PNWA supported Corps projects, visit our website www.pnwa.net. 

The PNWA Summer Conference is just around the corner, June 27-29 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Seattle, WA. The agenda for our event is now finalized and can be accessed on our website. Highlights include:

• USACE Seattle District: Priorities for 2012
• 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
• Global Coal Perspective: What is Driving Recent Market Developments?
• Bathymetric Survey Case Study - Port of Tacoma, NOAA & USACE
• Washington Board of Maritime Pilots: Challenges of Ensuring Safe, Reliable Service While Ensuring Gateways Remain Cost Competitive
• Ocean Carriers: Market Conditions, Carrier Logistics and Changing Industry Dynamics
• Exports Through Puget Sound Ports - Stimulating Our PNW Economy
• Lower Columbia River Pile Dike Study
• Institute of Water Resources Report - Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy: Options for the Future

We look forward to seeing you in Seattle!

Sponsorship opportunities. Now is the perfect time to raise your level of participation and support! Sponsorship opportunities at every level are still available for our June event:

• Lunch: $500
• Breakfast: $400
• Breaks: $300
• Meeting Materials: $200

PNWA sponsors receive exposure on our website and throughout the meeting in our materials, at our reception and from the podium. Approximately 90 of our PNWA members from Northwest ports, navigation, energy and trade community will be present. Don't miss your chance to participate today! Contact Heather Stebbings at heather.stebbings@pnwa.net or 503-234-8553 for more information.