Change of Command for Corps' Walla Walla District

 

On July 10, Lt. Col. David Caldwell relinquished command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District to Lt. Col. Andrew Kelly. Lt. Col. Caldwell served as District Commander for the past two years, successfully overseeing the district's projects within six states and 107,000 square miles. Of particular note is his great leadership during the unprecedented 15 week lock closure, which was successfully completed in March 2011. Months of preparation, communication with stakeholders, and diligent work from Lt. Col. Caldwell and his team, as well as the great work at the Portland District of the Corps, led to an extremely successful outcome. Lt. Col. Caldwell is now headed to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he will be in charge of the Army's Engineer Branch officer assignments for lieutenants, captains, majors and lieutenant colonels.

 

Lt. Col. Kelly most recently served as the joint observer trainer for U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virgina. Other prior assignments include operations officer and executive officer for the 92nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia including a deployment to Sharana, Afghanistan; brigade combat team (BCT) engineer for the 1st BCT, 3rd Infantry Division, including a deployment to Ramadi, Iraq; and deputy resident engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Drum, N.Y.

 

PNWA has greatly enjoyed working with Lt. Col. Caldwell and we wish him the best of luck at his new post in KY. We congratulate Lt. Col. Kelly on his new position with the Walla Walla District, and look forward to developing a strong and productive relationship with him during his tenure.

 

Oregon's small coastal projects featured in national magazine

 

The 2012 August/September issue of Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.) magazine highlights growing needs at small ports nationwide. The Port of Garibaldi and Oregon coast projects in particular, were cited as examples where infrastructure needs are greatest and where maintaining channel depths and safe bar crossings for commercial and recreational boaters is imperative. PNWA was able to provide quotes and background information to the magazine, regarding our projects in the Northwest and overall funding for the Corps. With a reach of nearly 1 million readers, the BoatU.S. article will help bring much needed awareness to the growing needs at our nation's small navigation projects.  

 

The efforts of our Northwest Congressional Delegation were also highlighted in the article. Of particular mention was Sen. Ron Wyden's effort to help small coastal projects nationwide. In late March, PNWA worked with Sen. Wyden's office to develop and circulate a letter highlighting the challenges small ports are facing in the FY2013 budget. The letter was submitted to the Senate Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee, and encouraged the Committee to include at least $30 million in additional Operations & Maintenance (O&M) funding for small ports in their bill. The letter was also signed by Senators Maria Cantwell (WA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Carl Levin (MI), and Debbie Stabenow (MI).

 

Funding for our region's small ports has been a centerpiece of PNWA's advocacy efforts this year. Low use navigation projects on the Oregon Coast and throughout the region, were zeroed out in the President's FY2013 budget proposal. In response, PNWA has been strongly advocating for inclusion of additional O&M funding, similar to what we saw for FY2012. As previously reported, both the House and Senate bills do retain $30 million in additional O&M specifically dedicated to small ports. PNWA will continue to strongly advocate for retention of these additional monies as the appropriations process move forward. For more information and a full list of PNWA supported Corps projects, visit our website www.pnwa.net.