RAMP legislation introduced in the House

 

On January 22, Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) introduced H.R.335, the Realize America's Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act. The bill is very similar to last year's RAMP Act, and includes a point of order regarding full expenditures of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) on their intended purpose of maintaining our nation's deep draft and coastal navigation infrastructure. While this language would not guarantee full use of the fund, it does represent forward movement on the issue and continues the conversation regarding an HMTF fix now that a new Congress has been seated. The bill currently has 48 co-sponsors, and Northwest supporters include Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR).  

 

As previously mentioned, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has plans to begin work on a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) early this year. This is the bill that authorizes Corps projects and navigation policies such as the HMTF. The Committee has scheduled their first hearing for January 31st to continue the Committee's work in 2012 regarding WRDA and the HMTF.

 

PNWA's staff and members will be engaging in these evolving discussions. Our Association's top priorities for a WRDA bill are a fix for the HMTF as well as permanence for Section 214. We have been working with our membership, the Northwest Delegation and the House and Senate EPW Committees on these discussions, and we look forward to the development of legislation that our entire membership can support.        

Opportunity to comment: Lower Snake River PSMP

 

Last month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District released the draft Programmatic Sediment Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement (PSMP). The initial comment period has been extended, and now closes on March 26, 2013. PNWA is currently drafting comments for submission, and strongly encourages river system stakeholders to also provide comment to the Corps regarding the importance of future channel maintenance.

 

PNWA has long supported the Corps' efforts to study the sources of sediment in the Lower Snake River, and evaluate a comprehensive suite of channel maintenance efforts. The completion of the PSMP will set the stage for the Corps to pursue channel maintenance in the future. Maintenance dredging in the navigation channel has not been performed since the winter of 2005-2006, and parts of the Lower Snake River's 14 foot federal navigation channel are currently constrained.

The draft PSMP EIS identifies and evaluates the environmental effects of a range of seven sediment management strategies or "alternatives" developed by the Corps. In developing and evaluating alternatives, the Corps considered various methods of managing or reducing sediment. The Corps' preferred alternative provides the agency with a comprehensive "toolbox" of measures for addressing sediment that interferes with authorized project purposes. The draft EIS also proposes an "immediate need action" to dredge the navigation channel to Congressionally-authorized dimensions at four locations: the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, Port of Clarkston, Port of Lewiston, and Ice Harbor Lock and Dam downstream navigation lock approach.

The draft environmental impact statement is available for review here, including the full report and a shorter executive summary. For more information or questions about the PSMP, click here or please touch base with Kristin Meira.      

Columbia River Treaty Update - Opportunity for Stakeholder Comment

 

The Columbia River Treaty was implemented by the United States and Canada in 1964 to govern Columbia River flows for flood control and power generation. After nearly 50 years, both parties are examining its future. The Treaty states that either nation can terminate most of its provisions beginning September 16, 2024, with a minimum 10 years' written notice. The U.S. Entity (USACE and BPA) will provide a recommendation to the U.S. Department of State by late 2013 to continue, terminate, modify or amend the Columbia River Treaty after 2024.

 

To this end, BPA and Corps of Engineers staff members, on behalf of the U.S. Entity, have been working with tribal, federal and state representatives on the Sovereign Review Team (SRT) to complete technical analyses that will inform the eventual recommendation. The U.S. Entity and the SRT hosted stakeholder Listening Sessions throughout the region over the past two years and collected participants' input. The input has been shared with the SRT and integrated into its analytical decision-making process. Listening sessions will continue in 2013.

 

BPA and the Corps are now inviting regional stakeholders to provide their perspectives on the potential content and direction of the Columbia River Treaty post-2024 to further inform the remaining stages of technical analysis and a preliminary regional recommendation. The agencies will accept written perspectives until Feb. 8, 2013, and request that responses be no more than three pages. Please send your submittals to treatyreview@bpa.gov or mail them to CRT Review (DKE), P.O. Box 14428, Portland, OR 97293.

 

The U.S. Entity has completed computer simulations that evaluated four different ways to operate the river system after 2024, with consideration of impacts on flood risk management, hydropower, and ecosystem function. The next round of modeling will consider effects on a range of Northwest river users, including navigation, irrigation, recreation, and more. PNWA members and staff had an initial meeting with the Corps in December 2012, and will continue our work in 2013 to ensure our diverse membership is able to provide information and technical details to the U.S. Entity to aid the efforts. We encourage you to participate in this process, and provide your feedback to PNWA staff for use in our comment efforts. For more information, contact Kristin Meira. 

PNWA welcomes three new members! 

 

J-U-B Engineers, Inc.

J-U-B Engineers, Inc. provides comprehensive professional services in planning, engineering, environmental, surveying, public involvement, and construction engineering for airports, surface transportation systems, industrial siting, infrastructure, water resources, wastewater pollution control, GIS master planning, application development, system design and implementation, and eGovernment consulting. For more information, contact Ben Volk at bvolk@jub.com or (509) 783-2144.

 

Port of Anacortes

The Port of Anacortes located in Anacortes, Washington is responsible for the operation, growth, and development of a major deep-water port, 3 marine terminals, the Cap Sante Marina and Anacortes Airport. Marine Terminals include Pier 1 (home of Dakota Creek Industries and the Port of Anacortes offices), Curtis Wharf (commercial dock and wharf) which holds ships up to 500 plus feet, and Pier 2 (log, heavy lifts and dry bulk cargo loading) which is available for short term moorage up to 1,200 feet). The Anacortes Airport is located about three miles west of downtown and features a 3,018-foot long by 60 foot wide lighted asphalt runway located on approximately 196 acres. The Cap Sante Marina is a customs port-of-entry located in the heart of downtown Anacortes, offering 933 slips are available for permanent and transient moorage with 20, 30, and 50 ampere power and water and accommodating vessels up to 133'. The Port of Anacortes also rents out three venue spaces: Transit Shed Event Center, Seafarers' Memorial Park Building, and Marine Technology Center. For more information, contact Bob Hyde at  hyde@portofanacortes.com or (360) 299-1812.

 

Port of Grays Harbor

Founded in 1911, the Port of Grays Harbor is one of Washington State's oldest port districts and Washington's only deep-water port located directly on the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Grays Harbor operates 4 deepwater marine terminals, the Westport Marina, Bowerman Airport and numerous industrial and business parks throughout the region. The addition of Satsop Business Park increases the Port's properties to more than 1,000 acres of industrial properties and an additional 1,300 acres of sustainably managed forestland. Strategically located midway between Seattle and Portland and less than 1 ½ hour from the open sea, the Port of Grays Harbor provides businesses a diverse portfolio of facilities. For more information, contact Gary Nelson at  gnelson@portgrays.org or 360-533-9530.

Upcoming PNWA Events 

 

There are many important PNWA events in the coming months, please mark your calendars for the following dates: 

• Puget Sound Regional Meeting, February 12th - click here to register!
• Eastern WA/Northern ID Regional Meeting, February 15th - click here to register! 
• Lower Columbia River/OR Coast Regional Meeting, February 19th - click here to register!
• 2013 Mission to Washington, March 3rd-7th - click here to register!
• Tour of The Dalles Lock & Dam, March 13th - contact Natalie Whitlock for more information or to RSVP. You must RSVP before February 28th!
• Tour of Little Goose Lock & Dam, March 14th - contact Natalie Whitlock for more information or to RSVP. You must RSVP before February 28th!  

 PNWA relies on your sponsorship to make these events a success! For information on how you can support our events, click here or contact Natalie Whitlock.  

 

We hope to see you soon!