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In this issue: Port security updates FY2006 grants awarded In the Northwest, the Ports of
Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia received the following funding: Port of Seattle:� $5,179,116 Port of Tacoma:� $2,112,990 Port of Olympia:� $327,010 FY2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill clears Congress� Only two FY2007 appropriations
bills have been successfully completed in Congress, and one is the Homeland
Security appropriations bill.� A conference
report was finished last week, and was passed by the House (412-6) and Senate
(voice vote). The conference report provides
$210 million for port security, an increase of $35 million over last year�s
amount. The conferees rejected an amendment that would have added an
additional $190 million, and would have brought the program up to the $400
million authorized by the Port Security Bill that was approved by Congress on
September 30th (see next article). SAFE Port Act of 2006 Congress has passed the Security
and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006 (H.R.4954).� The bill authorizes $400 million in federal
Port Security Grant (PSG) funding per year for the next five years.� The legislation combines portions of
several port security bills, including Senator Murray�s GreenLane Maritime
Cargo Security Act (S.2459). Of special interest to PNWA
members is a change in how the port security grant program would be
administered.� Instead of the extremely
limited eligibility that has been offered in recent grant rounds, future
grants can be pursued by any port facility that lies within an Area Maritime
Transportation Security Plan.� The new
grant program will also allow multi-year funding of approved projects for up
to 20 percent of each year�s grants. For a complete copy of this
legislation, please contact PNWA. New effort to designate �Wild and
Scenic� rivers American Rivers has kicked off a campaign to designate 40 rivers as
Wild or Scenic under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The American Rivers
press release says, �A healthy river is a tremendous asset to any community,
but these special rivers are treasures for the entire nation�.� PNWA agrees. We simply measure the health
of our river system on two scales, environmentally and economically. The release also states, �Some of
this nation�s best loved rivers lack even basic protections from dams and
development." Language from the Act specifies that "Every wild,
scenic or recreational river in its free-flowing condition, or upon
restoration to this condition, shall be considered eligible for inclusion in
the national wild and scenic rivers system..." Therefore, rivers such as
the mainstem Columbia River and the lower Snake River are not eligible. They
have been developed. That development remains in place and in use for the
benefit of the region and the nation. The effort to add rivers to the
wild and scenic list may have merit for true "wild" rivers. For
others, environmental improvements can be made without dismantling the
economic infrastructure that has grown up around our rivers. In the Columbia
Basin, we have seen record runs of salmon returning to the Columbia River.
Returns in the last five years have been the first, second, third, fourth and
sixth highest ever recorded since the first dam on the Columbia was built in
1938. We accomplished that with improvements to the hydropower system,
habitat, hatcheries and harvest practices. This has occurred with the dams in
place, while producing hydropower (with zero air emissions or greenhouse
gasses), while moving ten million tons of cargo by barge each year (the
lowest cost, most fuel-efficient and least polluting mode of transportation)
and providing water to irrigate the region's food crops. WRDA on hold for now Congress recessed on Saturday,
September 30th for a month of campaigning in advance of the
November 7th midterm elections.�
Unfortunately, time ran out in the effort to finish the conference
efforts to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2006. Republican and Democratic leaders
from the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the Senate
Environment & Public Works Committee have pledged to have their staffs
continue the effort during October, and are hopeful that a conferenced bill
will be ready when Congress returns for the lame duck session following the
election.� PNWA strongly supports
passage of a WRDA this year.� Our full
list of supported WRDA provisions can be found on our website. New member: Kalama Export PNWA is excited to announce our
newest member: Kalama Export, Inc.�
Kalama Export is a large grain export terminal located on the deep
draft lower Columbia River in Kalama, WA and offers a variety of grain
products and by-products for the domestic market.� The primary contact is Mr. Jan B. Mosby at
(503) 274-1405. Alternate hotel options for Annual Meeting attendees
PNWA�s 2006 Annual Meeting is
rapidly approaching.� There is still
time to register, and it is as easy as visiting www.pnwa.net.� While you are there, download
our confirmed program. Our room block is now sold out at
the Tacoma Sheraton.� However, we have
confirmed that there is availability at two nearby hotels: the Courtyard
Tacoma Downtown and the Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel. Please join us next week for a
terrific meeting in Tacoma! Job announcement: Port of Ilwaco Manager The Port Manager functions as the
chief executive officer of the Port of Ilwaco.� This individual is responsible for
implementing policies set by the Port Commission, while overseeing Port
marketing, development of Port facilities, property management and community
relations.� The port�s facilities
include the marina, boat work yard, and airport.� This is a salaried position requiring a
flexible schedule.� The manager is
delegated the authority to hire/fire, train, supervise, motivate and direct
subordinates, currently consisting of 6 full-time and several seasonal
employees.� Salary is dependent on
qualifications.� The Port is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.� Applicants are
instructed to submit a resume and list of references by 4:30 pm Wednesday
November 1st to: Melissa Stern Port of Ilwaco P.O. Box 307 Ilwaco, WA 98624 Pacific Northwest Waterways
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