Did you know?
Bonneville Dam began to produce hydroelectricity in 1937, setting a record for its size.
In the same year, Howard Hughes set a record by flying from Los Angeles to
New York City in 7.5 hours.
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PNWA welcomes COL Aguilar, incoming NWP Commander
This week, COL Jose Aguilar assumed the role of Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District. In this role, he will oversee one of the nation's most comprehensive civil works programs, managing a workforce of more than 1,200 employees serving Oregon and southwest Washington. Before assuming command in Portland, COL Aguilar was the Theater Basing Chief for Afghanistan, responsible for the drawdown of bases across the country. He also commanded Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia from 2009-2011. COL Aguilar is a familiar face in Portland; he was the Deputy Commander of the Portland District from 2008-2009. PNWA looks forward to working with him again and welcomes his family to Portland.
To view COL Aguilar's complete bio, click here.
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Northwest Congressional Delegation Delivers Message on Columbia River Treaty
Today, all 26 Members of Congress representing Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho urged President Obama to make the future of the 1964 Columbia River Treaty a priority for 2014. In a letter led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the delegation highlighted the importance of the Columbia River Treaty and asked the Administration to take direct action on this issue by mid-year 2014, as called for in a recent regional recommendation led by the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"It is essential that the Administration now advance this work through discussions with Canada to ensure that a post-2024 Treaty better reflects the interests of our constituents in the region and the United States as a whole. As you convene an Interagency Policy Committee on the Recommendation, we draw your attention to the Recommendation's clear call for a decision and action by the Administration on this matter by mid-year," wrote Members in the letter.
Members also underscored the importance of the Obama Administration to be open and transparent in the treaty negotiations with Canada and for the Administration to consider input from Northwest lawmakers and regional stakeholders as the process moves forward.
"The Columbia River provides significant economic and cultural benefits to our region and how it is managed through the Treaty will have major impacts into the future. Therefore, it is important that you remain in regular and close communication with the Pacific Northwest Congressional Delegation during the Interagency Policy Committee process and keep us apprised of potential negotiations with Canada. In addition, we encourage the Administration to remain open to input from and engagement with concerned regional stakeholders, many of whom have valuable expertise in managing the Columbia River and played an integral role in developing the Recommendation."
For fifty years, the Columbia River Treaty between the United States and Canada has provided the framework for coordinated hydropower generation and flood control on the Columbia River system. Starting this year, either side can seek to terminate the Treaty with ten years notice, prompting a renewed look at the Treaty in the United States and Canada. The regional review led by the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers resulted in the Regional Recommendation for the Future of the Columbia River Treaty after 2024, which was delivered to the Administration for further action in December 2013.
As the State Department begins its effort to evaluate the Treaty and the Regional Recommendation, PNWA members look forward to continued involvement in stakeholder dialogue with Congressional and federal agency leaders. Regional interests which would be impacted by changes to the river system - utilities, navigation, irrigators, and flood control authorities - will be critical participants as the process continues to evolve. These regional interests serve millions of Northwest residents through power delivery, facilitating trade routes for regional and national cargo, producing high-value crops, and protecting lives and businesses from floods. Their expertise is critical as potential changes to river operations are contemplated.
For more information regarding the Columbia River Treaty and PNWA's work on this issue, or to provide feedback to PNWA staff, please contact Kristin Meira.
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