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Breaking
news on salmon BiOp and Fish Passage Center
Judge Redden,
today, denied the plaintiffs� motion to extend by five months the deadline
for competing the salmon BiOp in a hearing today. The Judge said he expects
some extension, but the quarterly check-in process is proper mechanism to
address the timing issues. The next report to the Judge is due April 3rd.
Parties can raise extension requests in comments prior to the April 21st hearing
on check-in report. IPNG lawyer Walt Evans reports that Judge told the
parties today that he is impressed with collaboration efforts so far.
In a separate case, Judge Haggerty today ruled from the bench against the
Temporary Restraining Order sought by Fish Passage Center employees to force
BPA to rehire them.
Plaintiffs raised free speech, retaliation and employment law claims. The Fish Passage Center was closed after Congress, led by Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), cut off
funding for the Center. The case will now go to trial, with a hearing
scheduled for April 10.
Senator Murray�s Greenlane
Maritime Security Act (S.2008) picks up steam
Port security
legislation proposed last fall by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator
Susan Collins (R-ME) is garnering renewed interest in the aftermath of the
Dubai Ports World controversy. The �GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act�
(S.2008) develops a cargo security system that closes vulnerabilities,
provides a way to resume trade after an incident, and maintains the efficient
flow of commerce.
On March 14th, Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA, 3) introduced a similar bill in the
House, the �Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act�
(H.R.4954). Among the 45 co-sponsors are Reps. Larsen, McDermott, DeFazio,
Dicks, Smith, and Wu.
PNWA supports Senator Murray�s bill, and similar efforts in the House.
Senator Murray�s bill would authorize much needed funding for port security
programs that are important to our members. In particular, the bill would
provide: $175M for Container Security Initiative, $75M for C-TPAT, $50M for
GreenLane Designation, $100M for Incident Response, $25M for Operation Safe
Commerce, $400M for port security grants.
The GreenLane bill also improves security by establishing:
� The GreenLane, comprised of supply chain participants who voluntarily meet
the highest level of security, allows U.S. security services to better
identify and respond to potential threats and provides real incentives to
importers to enhance their supply chain security measures.
� Minimum security standards for all cargo containers entering the U.S. and requirements that strengthen current cargo security programs.
� The Office of Cargo Security Policy to ensure accountability and
coordination of cargo security policies, procedures & regulations at the
Department of Homeland Security and with other agencies.
� Joint Operations Centers to ensure a coordinated, measured response and the
resumption and flow of commerce in the event of an incident or heightened
national security threat level.
For more on Senator Murray�s bill, visit: GreenLane Bill
Contact: Kristin Meira, email Kristin, 503-234-8556
Northwest Senators take
steps to short circuit Administration�s BPA raid
The President�s
budget request, released February 6th, included language that would require
the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to send some surplus revenue to pay
down the federal debt. Some have estimated that it could cost the region
almost $1 billion over the next decade by reversing a decades-old Bonneville
Power Administration (BPA) policy of using revenue from surplus power sales
to lower electricity rates for local consumers.
On March 10th, Northwest members of the Senate Budget Committee were
successful in winning approval for language that would make it easier for the
full Senate to vote to reject the White House plan for BPA surplus revenues.
Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID)
co-sponsored language that would require a simple majority (51) of the Senate
to vote down the President�s plan, rather than a 60-vote super majority.
PNWA strongly opposes the President�s plan to divert BPA revenue from the
Northwest, and members who attended last week�s Mission to Washington were
able to directly address this issue with a speaker from BPA, as well as the
entire Northwest Congressional delegation. PNWA praises this first step by
our Northwest members of the Budget Committee, and we look forward to the
eventual removal of this provision from the language that governs BPA
operations.
Contact: Kristin Meira, email Kristin, 503-234-8556
Corps awards contract for
work on south jetty at Mouth of the Columbia
PNWA has been
working for some time with staff from the Portland District of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers to address funding challenges for the ongoing jetty
repairs at the Mouth of the Columbia River. Along with regular maintenance
dredging, these jetties are integral to the successful functioning of the
federal navigation channel of the lower Columbia. Repairs on the north jetty
were completed in 2005. As you may remember, PNWA was successful in working
with Senator Patty Murray and the Corps last year in securing $17 million in
FY2006 Energy & Water appropriations to address south jetty repairs this
coming summer.
We are pleased to announce that the Corps has awarded a contract to a Vancouver, WA firm to complete repairs to the inland reach (inside the �knuckle�) of the
south jetty this year, and the seaward reach (outside the �knuckle�) next
summer. Over 130,000 tons of stone will be used to shore up the south jetty.
The Corps has also announced a contract that could be exercised in the event
of a breach this winter, which is estimated at roughly a 20% risk.
In order to finish the seaward reach repairs of the south jetty in 2007, the
Corps has estimated that it will need approximately $1 million more than what
has been provided in the President�s FY2007 budget. PNWA is strongly
advocating for this additional funding, as well as $916,000 to complete a
major rehab report for the jetties, and $400,000 for a study of beneficial
use of dredge material around the south jetty.
For a full list of PNWA�s FY2007 Energy & Water appropriations
priorities, please visit PNWA
Appropriations Request
Contact: Kristin Meira, email Kristin, 503-234-8556
McMorris bill to require
disclosure of ESA costs
Congresswoman
Cathy McMorris (R, WA-5) has introduced legislation that would require the
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and similar suppliers around the
country to disclose estimated costs associated with Endangered Species Act
compliance. The �Endangered Species Compliance and Transparency Act of 2006�
(H.R.4857) would require BPA and others to provide that information to
customers, as well as Congress. This bill has already attracted several
co-sponsors from the Northwest delegation, including Reps. Dicks, Hastings, Otter, Simpson, and Walden.
A hearing was held on the bill yesterday in the House Committee on Resources,
and witnesses included PNWA member Scott Corwin, Vice President for Marketing
and Public Affairs, Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative (PNGC), as well
as Greg Delwiche, Vice President for Environment, Fish & Wildlife,
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). PNWA supports the passage of this
bill, as it would provide much needed information on the cost of ESA
compliance for BPA.
FYI: Short Sea Shipping
Conference to be held in Vancouver, BC
The U.S.
Maritime Administration is co-hosting a short sea shipping conference
�Towards a Shortsea Shipping Strategy for the North American Continent�,
which will be held April 18 -20, 2006 in Vancouver, BC. This event is the
result of coordination among Canada, the United States, and Mexico following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on Short Sea Shipping in 2003.
This year�s Conference represents a further commitment between the three
nations under the Security and Prosperity Partnership Accord signed by the
leaders of the three nations in 2005 - a trilateral agreement designed to
increase the security, prosperity, and quality of life in North America.
The Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia is assisting in the organization
of this event. To register, please visit
www.chamber-of-shipping.com/index/shortsea. You may also contact Bonne Gee or
Patricia Kersul at the Chamber at (604) 681-2351 or via email.
PNWA welcomes new members
Smith Alling
Lane-- Smith Alling
Lane (SAL) is a full
service law and lobbying firm that has been in business since 1985. With over
thirty-five employees and three offices (Washington, DC; Tacoma, Washington; and Brussels), SAL provides public affairs services at all levels of government
� local, state, federal and foreign. SAL represents numerous public and
private clients and has developed policy expertise on numerous subjects.
Notable areas of expertise include public safety/homeland security,
technology, biotechnology, local government, utilities and transportation.
For more information about how Smith Alling Lane can be of service to your
organization, please contact Mr. Dale Learn, Vice President for Federal
Governmental Affairs at 202-347-5011 or email Dale. Visit Smith Alling
Lane.
Port of Anacortes -- The port operates a busy marine terminal,
shipping forest products and bulk goods to nations of the Pacific Rim. Visit
Anacortes and experience a real working waterfront like you'll find nowhere
else. Their tenants are working too. From rope manufacturing and
shipbuilding, to marine supplies and fine dining, Port tenants add a rich
variety to this historic community. The Port�s 1,100 slip boat haven is an
adventure all its own. With a large commercial fishing fleet, waterfront
dining, public access to docks, and two beautiful parks close-by, Cap Sante
Boat Haven is a boat lover's paradise. Visit Port of
Anacortes.
Primary contacts at the Port of Anacortes are:
Robert Elsner, Interim Executive Director, 360-299-1822, email Robert
John Hachey, Director of Operations and Facilities, 360-299-1829, email John
Margaret Schwertner, Env. Project Mgr., 360-299-1827, email Margaret
Member Highlight: Port of Pasco
Port of Pasco
The Port of Pasco was organized by the voters of Franklin County in 1940 to provide area growers with transportation to domestic and international
markets. The properties include an Inter-Modal Terminal, Big Pasco Industrial Center, the Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco Processing Center, the River Trail Business Center, Foster Wells Business Park and the Tri-Cities Airport Business Center. It is ideal for all types of industrial development with the
facilities and space to meet the diverse and growing needs of industrial,
commercial and manufacturing industries. The goal of the Port of Pasco is to encourage and assist industrial development and promote economic growth
within the Port district. Visit Port of Pasco.
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