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Jetty celebration with U.S. Senator Patty Murray
 On
August 15th, PNWA was pleased to join with U.S. Senator Patty Murray to
celebrate the repairs underway at the jetties at the Mouth of the Columbia River, and to focus attention on the need for
an eventual major rehabilitation of the structures. PNWA Executive Director
Glenn Vanselow emceed the event, and was joined by the following PNWA members
on the speaking program: Port of Longview Executive Director Ken O�Hollaren,
Port of Ilwaco Commissioner Dick Seifert, Port of Vancouver Commissioner Nancy Baker,
and Clark Skamania County Labor Council President Cager
Clabaugh.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District Commander Col. Tom O�Donovan
provided insight into the state of the jetties, and described the placement
of enormous jetty stones to repair the areas that have deteriorated. A crane
operated by Kiewit Pacific, of Vancouver USA could be
observed on the South Jetty, with enormous trucks supplying the stones to be
placed by the crane.
The membership of PNWA is very grateful to Senator Murray for the tremendous
leadership she has demonstrated in funding these repairs, and we look forward
to her continued advocacy for these valuable pieces of federal transportation
infrastructure.
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Freight Mobility and International Trade Tour
PNWA and the Pacific Northwest International Trade Association
(PNITA) teamed up on August 8th to present a congressional staff tour
highlighting the importance of international trade in the Pacific
Northwest. Northwest Congressional delegation staffers were able
to observe import and export activities in the greater Portland/Vancouver
region, and hear about critical need for investment in freight transportation
infrastructure.
PNWA members and staff were able to discuss PNWA intermodal
transportation priorities. Northwest congressional staffer were able to visit
the Port of Portland and tour the new crane facility, participate in a lunch
meeting with key industry leaders to discuss the importance of freight
transportation and challenges in the Pacific Northwest. The Port of Vancouver
gave participants a tour of bulk and special cargo shipping facilities.
Staffers were also given tours of Precision Castparts
Corporation, the Columbia Sportswear distribution center, and Northwest
Container Services.
This is the first August recess Congressional staff tour PNWA has presented,
and we are looking forward to hosting many more.
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Jetty Tour at the Mouth of the Columbia
River
On August 14th, PNWA joined with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Portland District and Columbia River Bar Pilots to provide a
special boat tour of the South Jetty for congressional staff. This tour was a
tremendous success. For most participants, this was a once in a lifetime
opportunity to personally experience the challenging waves at the mouth of
the Columbia River, and get up close to the jetties that provide a measure of
safety to ships transiting the Columbia River Bar.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the jetties to protect both commercial
and recreational ships of all sizes entering and leaving the estuary.
Abnormal numbers and sizes of storms the last several years have accelerated
degradation of the jetties caused by wave impact. The first part of an
interim repair program is completed, and addressed the North Jetty. The
second part of the program to repair the South Jetty is underway now, and
should be completed by fall of 2007. These repairs are meant to last
approximately ten years, after which a major rehabilitation should be
undertaken.
For more information about the jetties, visit www.pnwa.net
to download our one-page jetty repair fact sheet.
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