Issue 242

April 19, 2006

 

In this issue:

 

New issues dim WRDA prospects

Port security funds increased

Proposed Corps flood control project raises concerns

2004 BiOp appeal moves forward

Rick Davis retiring from Port of Clarkston

PNWA Mid-Year Meeting

PNWA welcomes new member: USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council

Member Highlight: Jan T Fancher, CPA/LLC



New issues dim WRDA prospects

Corps reform and controversies over a few large projects were preventing WRDA from reaching the floor of the Senate. Now, the prospect of authorizing and funding $2 billion in Louisiana water projects as part of a separate $106 billion supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq and Katrina is adding controversy. Under normal circumstances, these projects would need to be authorized in a WRDA bill before appropriations could be approved. Some Appropriations Committee leaders are saying they can�t wait for WRDA to move these projects forward. Environment and Public Works Committee leadership has complained that they should have jurisdiction over the authorization of these water projects.

PNWA has several important measures in the WRDA bills that have passed the full House and/or the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee a year ago. Even with 80 senators asking the leadership to bring WRDA to the Senate floor, no floor time has been scheduled. PNWA urges Congress to bring the bill reported out of Committee to the floor for a vote. WRDA needs to pass this year.

Staff Contact: Glenn Vanselow, 503-234-8551

Port security funds increased

AAPA reports that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment to the emergency supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 4939, that would increase government spending on port security by $648 million in fiscal year 2006. This figure includes an additional $227 million for port security grants, $211 million for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to purchase sixty additional cargo container inspection systems, $2 million for CBP to hire fifty additional port inspectors, $23 million for the Coast Guard to triple the number of port security plan specialists, $32 million for CBP to hire 85 cargo container security specialists, and $132 million to deploy over 300 additional radiation portal monitors at U.S. seaports. The amendment was approved by voice vote and the bill, which provides for a total of $106.5 billion in emergency funding for defense, the global war on terror, and hurricane recovery, will now go to the Senate floor.

Staff Contact: Glenn Vanselow, 503-234-8551

 

Proposed Corps flood control project raises concerns

The Seattle District is completing a reconnaissance study of the Columbia Basin flood control system. The report recommends moving forward with a six-year, $30 million study. In addition to ensuring acceptable levels of flood protection in the basin, the objectives of the study would be to improve flood control operations to benefit ESA-listed fish.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council has told the Corps that they should not focus the study on providing additional flows for fish. The Council said the proposed study would be �extremely expensive and would have no demonstrated benefits for fish.� It referred to a 2003 Independent Scientific Advisory Board conclusion that the theory that �in-river smolt survival will be proportionally enhanced by any amount of added water, is no longer supportable�.

The Council joined Bonneville ratepayers in objecting to proposals to fund the study from ratepayer dollars. The flood damage protection provided by the federal dams is enormous. Over $3 billion was saved during the floods of the late 1990s. PNWA urges the Corps to reduce the scope and funding requirements of the study by focusing on meeting regional flood control needs and not on trying to provide additional flows for fish. Click here to veiw the draft.

Staff Contact: Glenn Vanselow, 503-234-8551

 

2004 BiOp appeal moves forward

The federal government filed briefs seeking to overturn Judge Redden�s ruling that the 2004 Columbia Basin fish BiOp was invalid. The briefs were filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The original plaintiffs have until April 28 to reply. The federal government must file its response by May 12. Oral arguments are scheduled for May 25 in San Francisco. This is an expedited scheduled agreed to by the Court at the request of the parties.

The federal government is arguing that Judge Redden used faulty interpretations of the law in making his ruling. One major issue argued by the government is that the law requires a jeopardy opinion to be based on the impacts to listed species stemming from proposed actions that are within the discretion of the federal agencies. They say that, contrary to the District Court�s conclusion, the dams are not properly characterized as part of the agency actions. They are preexisting structures which the federal agencies are powerless to remove.

Meanwhile, the collaboration continues on the development of a new BiOp under the guidance of Judge Redden. The Judge is holding a status conference with the parties April 21. The current deadline for the new BiOp to be presented to Judge Redden is October, 2006. The Inland Ports and Navigation Group is an intervenor in the ongoing BiOp lawsuit, but is not a party to the appeal. However, PNWA is monitoring the appeal closely.

Staff Contact: Glenn Vanselow, 503-234-8551

 

Rick Davis retiring from Port of Clarkston

Rick Davis has announced his retirement from the Port of Clarkston after 22 years of service. Rick has been very active and a staunch supporter of PNWA. He served on the PNWA Board of Directors for several years. PNWA wishes Rick and his wife Karen a long and happy retirement. The Port is holding a retirement party for Rick Friday, May 5, from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Quality Inn in Clarkston. Please contact Jennifer Bly and RSVP if you would like to attend. Congratulations, Rick!

 

PNWA Mid-Year Meeting

Registration is now open at www.pnwa.net Our Mid-Year Meeting will be held on June 21-23rd, 2006 at the Salishan Lodge & Conference Center, along the coast and just minutes away from Newport, Oregon. Our evening reception will be held at the Oregon Coast Aquarium where all exhibits will be available for viewing. We urge you to register and make hotel reservations as soon as possible as space is limited. Be sure to join us to discuss current issues that are affecting the Columbia Snake River, Oregon and Washington Coast and the Puget Sound areas.

 

PNWA welcomes new member: USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council

The USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council is a non-profit organization founded in 1965 for the purpose of promoting and protecting those engaged in growing, processing, warehousing, and merchandising peas, lentils and chickpeas.
The USADPLC represents over 5,000 growers, processors, exporters, and associates of premium commodities located in WA, OR, ID, ND, SD, MT and NE.
The council�s overall mission is to provide Research support, Development of new markets and Increase awareness of US grown dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas worldwide. You may visit their website at USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council or email Tim McGreevy or call 208-882-3023.

 

Member Highlight: Jan T Fancher, CPA/LLC

Since 1987 Jan T Fancher has been providing Ports in the Pacific Northwest financial and accounting services including interim and year-end financial statements, State Auditor�s Annual Reports, parity certificates, cash flow projections, construction project analysis, BARS assistance, software consulting and general financial consulting. Jan has been Pacific Northwest Waterways Association�s CPA since 1987, providing tax and financial services. Jan T Fancher is a member of Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Washington Public Ports Association, Washington Finance Officers Association and the Government Finance Officers Association. You may contact Jan at 360-694-2460.