In recognition of Earth Day, PNWA is presenting this special edition
of the PNWA Nor�wester
to highlight just a few of the environmental initiatives that have been
undertaken by PNWA and its members.
PNWA
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Going back several years, PNWA
staff co-chaired the Lower Columbia River Bi-State Water Quality Study and
then served as chair for the Lower Columbia River Estuary Program in the
preparation of a management plan to improve water quality and restore the
river�s ecosystem. The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership is the
successor organization and is active today in both public education and
watershed restoration.
PNWA
helped craft Sec. 536 of the Water Resources Development Act, which
authorized $30 million in funding for ecosystem restoration projects on the
Columbia River. Each year, PNWA advocates
for ecosystem restoration funding under Sec. 536. We are requesting $2.2
million in appropriations for FY2008.
Beginning
with its passage in 2000, PNWA has been leading a national coalition
gaining extension of WRDA Sec. 214 to provide a more efficient permitting
process. This provision has reduced the permitting backlog, speeding up
implementation of environmental restoration and economic development
projects in the Pacific Northwest and California. PNWA is working to make this
provision permanent in this year�s WRDA bill.
PNWA
played a key role in breaking a log jam between the Corps of Engineers, EPA
and Congress, allowing the Corps to budget for environmental cleanup of the
U.S. Moorings Superfund site on the Willamette River.
This is the home of the federal dredges Essayons and Yaquina. PNWA
is requesting $1.2 million in funding for this project in FY2008.
PNWA
negotiated a settlement with the Corps of Engineers and National Wildlife
Federation to prepare a Programmatic Sediment Management Plan for the Snake River. PNWA is seeking funding to allow the
Corps to advance the project to an on-schedule completion in 2009.
PNWA
continues to actively participate in regional forums seeking effective
salmon recovery measures while maintaining a healthy environment and strong
regional economy.
Towboat Industry
Foss, Shaver and Tidewater are
all upgrading equipment to ensure a cleaner environment and conservation of
natural resources. New tugs are being built and older tugs are being repowered with EPA Tier II compliant engines which significantly
reduce particulate, NOx and CO2 emissions while
reducing fuel consumption by 33%. Tidewater Barge Lines is converting a
third petroleum barge to double hull. They plan to have all of their fuel
barges replaced with double hull barges by 2010, five years ahead of
regulatory requirements.
Ports
The region�s ports are taking the lead in environmental protection,
wetland habitat and ecosystem restoration, airshed
emission reduction, and water efficiency.
For the 7th consecutive year, the Port of Portland has received an American
Association of Port Authorities award for their comprehensive environmental
management system. They have also received the City of Portland�s Best Award for water
efficiency.�
The Port
of Vancouver is
undertaking major wetland mitigation and enhancement projects.
The
Ports of Tacoma and Seattle, along with a multitude of partners (including the
American Lung Association, EPA, US Coast Guard, US Navy), are funding the
Puget Sound Marine Emissions Inventory, which is coordinated by the Puget
Sound Clean Air Agency. They are measuring air emissions and
developing and implementing air pollution control strategies for vessels
and on the docks. They are modifying equipment to operate on clean propane,
switching to ultra-low-emission fuels, using bio-diesel and working with
cargo and cruise vessels to reduce air emissions.
Many
ports are cleaning up Brownfields, formerly
polluted land, and converting them to productive use. Upriver, ports like Walla Walla
are engaging in watershed restoration projects. Many are planning new
bio-fuel facilities to produce cleaner fuels and reduce the use of fossil
fuels.
Weyerhaeuser
Weyerhaeuser is reducing its greenhouse
gas emissions 40 percent by 2020 while reducing its reliance on fossil
fuels. They are do this by harnessing the benefits of a renewable, natural
resource � biomass � as fuel and installing cleaner boilers that generate
steam and electrical energy in their mills.�
Weyerhaeuser�s pulp and paper mills generate 72 percent of their
energy from biomass.
Weyerhaeuser has sequestered 2.6
times more carbon, primarily in wood products, than it emitted last year, reduced
air and water emissions, recovered 6.7 million tons of used paper, or 13
percent of the total recycled in the United States, and has obtained
independent certification that all of the forests it manages or owns in
North America meet the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard or the
Canadian Standards Association sustainable forest management standard.
Their environmental sustainability report is available online at www.wy.com/environment/sustainability.
And More
These are just a few examples of how PNWA and its
members are working to reduce impacts and improve the environment. Nearly
every decision, process and project undertaken by our members now includes
an environmental component, ranging from reducing use natural resources,
recycling, clean up and environmental restoration projects, and upgrading
to new, cleaner and more efficient technologies in their buildings, land
development and equipment.
Plus, on Earth Day and year around, PNWA is proud to
represent navigation and hydropower interests. Navigation is the most fuel
efficient and least polluting way to transport cargo. Hydropower is
renewable and produces no air emissions. Both contribute to a clean
environment while providing for a strong regional economy.
Pacific Northwest
Waterways
Association
www.pnwa.net
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