Issue 240

March 29, 2006

 

In this issue:

 

Section 214 extension signed into law (P.L. 109-209)

Three Governors oppose Administration plan to siphon funds from BPA

BiOp remand and river operations update

Port Security Bills move in Congress

Alaskan Way Seawall Study

Idaho Governor nominated for Cabinet post

Washington State Transportation Commission Meeting

PNWA welcomes new member: Pacific International Engineering PLLC

Member Highlight: Ball Janik LLP




Section 214 extension signed into law (P.L. 109-209)

President Bush extends Section 214 until December 31, 2006. The Bill H.R. 4826 introduced by Congressman Baird was signed into law (P.L. 109-209) by President Bush this week. Section 214 allows ports and other public agencies to fund Corps of Engineers regulatory positions for the review of permits. Given the tremendous backlog in permit applications, and the low funding levels for the Corps regulatory program, this has been a very important tool for PNWA members.

A huge thank you to Congressman Brian Baird, Katie Stevens of Rep. Baird's staff, Senator Patty Murray, and Carrie Desmond from Senator Murray�s staff, for their efforts to get the bills introduced, and then moved so quickly through their respective chambers. All members of the Northwest House delegation and seven California members were original cosponsors. Senators Maria Cantwell, Ron Wyden, Gordon Smith and Diane Feinstein were original cosponsors in the Senate. And thank you to all of the coalition members who worked so diligently to contact prospective co-sponsors and educate people about the authority and the urgent need to have it extended.

Staff Contact: Email Glenn, 503-234-8551

 

Three Governors oppose Administration plan to siphon funds from BPA

Governors Christine Gregoire, Washington, Ted Kulongoski, Oregon, and Brian Schweitzer, Montana, on March 22 sent a letter to OMB to express their opposition to the Administration�s proposal to force BPA to accelerate repayment of Bonneville�s federal bond debt. The proposal was presented in the President�s FY 2007 budget request. It would require BPA to make early repayment of any net revenue in excess of $500 million per year. The Bush Administration claims that they can implement this change without approval of Congress

The proposal would increase electric rates about seven percent and would lead to a decline in personal income in the Northwest of $109 million per year and eliminate 1,120 jobs, according to estimates prepared by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

PNWA raised its opposition to the Administration�s proposal with every member of the Northwest Congressional delegation during its Mission to Washington, DC earlier this month. The Governors� letter and the Power Council estimate are available at www.pnwa.net.

 

BiOp remand and river operations update

The Corps of Engineers has proposed to implement Spring spill beginning April 3 on the Snake River and April 10 on the mainstem Columbia River. Based on declarations in Judge Redden�s court, the Corps is expected to implement this spill program on a time-certain basis. In the past three years, spill has been delayed until migrating juvenile salmon were observed at Lower Granite Dam. In those years, spill was started about one-to-two weeks after the planned dates. It is estimated that implementing the spill program prior to the presence of fish could cost between $5 million and $10 million in foregone power revenue.

The workgroups set up by the collaborators in the BiOp remand continue to meet. They are working on a wide range of scientific and operational issues. The Policy Working Group met today for an update on hydro operations. Hydro operations being reviewed include adult fish passage, reservoir operations and flow management (flow targets, velocity, temperature, storage reservoirs, mainstem reservoir operations and emergency operations), juvenile survival (spill, surface collection and removable spillway weirs, transportation, predator actions (sea lions, terns, pike minnow), and research, monitoring and evaluation (RM&E) and adaptive management. Proposed actions for these areas have not been developed yet, so it is too early to determine potential impacts on hydropower or navigation.

Dam breaching was not going to be analyzed for the remand. At today�s meeting, the plaintiffs asked for permission to submit a broader range of actions that should be analyzed. They specifically argued for the need to include dam breaching. Glenn Vanselow, PNWA Executive Director, responded by stating that dam breaching has already been the subject of intensive review, including a full EIS. He urged the Policy Group to focus its limited time and resources on proposed actions that have not been subject to the same level of scrutiny.

Technical work groups are also working on proposed actions for habitat, hatcheries and harvest. The second quarterly status meeting with Judge Redden will be held April 21, 2006 at the Oregon District Federal Courthouse.

Staff Contact: Email Glenn, 503-234-8551

 

Port Security Bills move in Congress

The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act was revised and introduced with a new bill number (S. 2459) by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and co-sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). The changes primarily affect staffing and advisory committees at the Department of Homeland Security.

The SAFE Port Act (H.R. 4954) introduced by Representative Dan Lungren (R-CA) and Jane Harman (D-CA) is similar to (S. 2459). It will be marked up in subcommittee tomorrow and is due to be the subject of a House Homeland Security Hearing April 4 and full committee mark up the week of April 24.

S.2459 would provide $835 million a year for maritime security using existing Customs and Border Protection fees and require a comprehensive strategic plan for supply-chain security.

H.R. 4954 would overhaul maritime security and provide about $800 million to bolster security and screening efforts at U.S. ports. PNWA strongly supports both bills.

On March 30, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee is planning a mark up of the "Foreign Investment and National Security Act." The bill will amend the process used by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review certain mergers, acquisitions and takeovers. The legislation has not yet been introduced. Dubai Ports enters into this equation. PNWA supports federal review of foreign interest acquiring or merging with companies that operate port terminals in the U.S., but we oppose a blanket ban on the leasing of port facilities to foreign companies whether private or affiliated with a foreign government.

 

Alaskan Way Seawall Study

Scoping for the Seattle District's feasibility study of the Alaskan Way Seawall will take place on April 18th, 2006 at the Seattle Center. All interested PNWA members are encouraged to attend. The Corps' feasibility study will result in a recommendation to Congress regarding whether an Alaskan Way Seawall project should be authorized under the Corps' storm damage reduction authority and, if so, how much of the cost of the seawall rehabilitation effort could be funded by the Corps. For additional information, please visit USACE and click on Corps Topics.

 

Idaho Governor nominated for Cabinet post

President Bush has selected Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne to replace Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. Kempthorne served as U.S. Senator from 1992 to 1998. He was elected Governor in 1998 and reelected in 2002.

 

Washington State Transportation Commission Meeting

You are invited to participate in the Washington State Rail Capacity and System Needs Study sponsored by the Washington Transportation Commission (WTC). Your input is crucial to the development of a successful plan. The WTC is convening four regional listening sessions across Washington to solicit stakeholder input on freight and passenger rail issues and needs.

For more info or to register please contact Tralee McGinness at 206-324-8760.

 

PNWA welcomes new member: Pacific International Engineering PLLC

Pacific International (PI) Engineering is a coastal engineering, dredging, natural resources, environmental permitting and surface water engineering consulting firm. PI Engineering is recognized nationally and internationally for sophisticated capabilities in designing dredging projects, analyzing and solving coastal erosion problems, designing flood control projects with environmental benefits, building functional aquatic habitat and permitting.
Capabilities of PI Engineering specialists range from technically complex projects requiring sophisticated analysis, modeling, and environmental assessment and permitting, to small tasks requiring a focused process. Clients enjoy efficient delivery of our services as a result of close client contact in a highly responsive organization. PI Engineering routinely works under demanding schedules on projects with sensitive political, environmental and economic issues.
For more information about how Pacific International Engineering PLLC can be of service to your organization, please contact Mr. Jim Neva, Engineering Consultant at 206-949-2430 or email Jim. Visit www.pnwa.net

 

Member Highlight: Ball Janik LLP

For over 20 years, Ball Janik's attorneys and government relations professionals have developed and implemented effective and cost-efficient solutions to clients' legal and government-related problems. The firm is lean and aggressive, and their professionals are distinguished by high ethical and professional standards and superior expertise. Ball Janik combines highly personalized service, teamwork, and experience in solving the clients' problems.