Issue 252�� September 26, 2006

In this issue:

WRDA moving toward completion
Appropriations update
Corps seeks comment on nationwide permits
Outstanding program set for 2006 PNWA Annual Meeting � JOIN US!
PNWA Communications Manager position announcement

WRDA moving toward completion

Progress continues to be made by Senate Republican and Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill in an effort to bring the House and Senate versions of the Water Resources & Development Act (WRDA) to a conference.� House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) and Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) staff worked throughout the weekend to resolve differences between the two bills, and a tentative conference committee was scheduled for today, but will likely be postponed.� WRDA supporters around the country are hopeful the bill can be completed before Congress recesses at the end of this week for a month of campaigning in advance of Election Day.� If WRDA is not completed before election day, it is unclear whether Congressional leaders will complete it during a lame duck session in November or December.

The House and Senate have appointed conferees to resolve the differences between the bills.� None of the House conferees hail from the Pacific Northwest, and on the Senate side, only Sen. Boxer hails from the west coast.� For a full list of WRDA conferees, please contact PNWA staff.� The two bills are approximately $2B apart, and there are also important differences with respect to independent peer review of Corps projects.� For more information on Corps reform, and the different provisions in the two bills, visit the National Waterways Conference site.

The last WRDA bill was passed in 2000. Typically, it is biennial legislation, and it is now approaching four years overdue. PNWA strongly supports the passage of a WRDA this year, and has joined with other navigation and economic development groups nationwide to encourage Congressional leaders to produce a bill this year. PNWA members have many important provisions in both the House and Senate versions of the bill.� A complete copy of PNWA supported provisions may be found on our website at www.pnwa.net.

PNWA urges Congress to finish work on WRDA this week, and not miss this opportunity to pass a bill that will do so much for economic development and environmental restoration around the nation.

Appropriations update

The 2006 fiscal year will conclude on September 30th.� Unfortunately, Congress has not finished work on most appropriations bills for FY2007, and a continuing resolution (CR) will be passed soon to keep the government funded after October 1st.� This CR is expected to run until mid-November, when Congress will likely return in a lame duck session after Election Day to conclude work on the remaining appropriations bills and other urgent matters.�

Until the new FY2007 funding levels are finished, the Corps and most other agencies will only be able to spend at the lowest of three possible levels:� FY2006 appropriations, FY2007 House bill, or the FY2007 Senate bill.� This makes an already difficult job even tougher, especially when dealing with projects that have limited fall or winter in-water work windows.

PNWA joins with other groups around the nation to ask Congress to complete work on the FY2007 Energy & Water appropriations bill as soon as possible.� For a complete list of PNWA�s supported appropriations projects in the House and Senate appropriations bills, please visit our website at www.pnwa.net.

Corps seeks comment on nationwide permits

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to publish a notice September 26th that it is opening a 60-day comment period on a proposal to renew and revise nationwide permits for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 101 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. "We shall improve the environmental protection provided by the nationwide permits while providing timely authorizations for work in water and wetlands," John Paul Woodley Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), said. "We have also simplified the text in the permits to clarify them and improve compliance."

The nationwide permits authorize activities that are similar in nature and cause only minimal adverse environmental impacts separately or on a cumulative basis. Activities ranges from work associated with aids to navigation and utility lines to Coast Guard-approved bridges and cleanup of hazardous and toxic wastes. The current set of nationwide permits expires in March 2007.

The Corps' new proposals were not posted as of this writing, but they are expected to be available soon at http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/cw/cecwo/reg/.

Outstanding program set for PNWA 2006 Annual Meeting

Governor Christine Gregoire, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, and U.S. Rep. Brian Baird to speak at PNWA 2006 Annual Meeting!

PNWA is delighted to announce that Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, and U.S. Rep. Brian Baird will be keynote speakers at our 2006 Annual Meeting!

Joining these elected officials are a host of top notch speakers from around the region, addressing topics of interest to every PNWA member:

� Puget Sound and Columbia River Salmon

� Meeting Ports & Transportation Goals in Washington

� Making Sense of Sediment Evaluation

� Effects of New Oil Spill Regulations

� Creative Approaches to Northwest Environmental Challenges

� Uncork the Bottleneck: Challenges to Northwest Intermodal Transportation

� A Reporter�s View of Elections, ESA, and the Economy

� Challenges Facing Northwest Rail Infrastructure

� Pacific Rim Container Trends

� Successful Strategies for Port Economic Development

� Securing America�s Ports

� Remarks from all three Northwest District Commanders of the Corps of Engineers

We will also hold PNWA�s annual General Membership Meeting, which is a forum for addressing the policies and projects that will be adopted for 2007.

Our Gala Reception will be held at the Washington State History Museum.� There is an opportunity for golfing at a terrific local course, and we have also put together a spouse program for guests of our attendees.

The PNWA Annual Meeting is the place to be October 11th � 13th at the Sheraton Tacoma! Register now at www.pnwa.net.

PNWA Communications Manager position announcement

PNWA is seeking a Communications Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for event planning and management, membership services, and communications, including PNWA�s web page, newsletter and collateral materials. The following advertisement will be published this week.

Be a part of a small team that makes a big impact!

We are a regional trade association in Portland seeking an event planner/membership manager/communications manager.

What you offer:

� Self-motivated, organized multi-tasker

� Two years or more event planning or related experience

� Strong written and verbal skills

� Strong computer skills

� Web design and website management skills

� College degree

� Database management and Dreamweaver experience a plus

� Previous membership management experience a plus

What we offer:

� Established association

� Excellent work environment

� Competitive salary

� Generous employer-paid benefits

Email resume and salary history/requirements to info@pnwa.net.

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association�� www.pnwa.net