Issue 263 February 2, 2007

In this issue:

President nominates LTG Van Antwerp as Corps� Commanding General
Corps� and Port of Portland dredges work on channel deepening
Joint Continuing Resolution is passed in the House
PNWA Mission to Washington special event � RSVP by Monday, February 5^th

Save the date: PNWA�s �Taste the Northwest� Capitol Hill Reception, March 6
2007 Mission to Washington hotel room block is almost full

President nominates LTG Van Antwerp as Corps� Commanding General

President Bush today nominated Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp to command the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If confirmed by the Senate, Lt. Gen. Van Antwerp would replace Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, who last summer announced that he will retire from the post after leading the Corps since July 2004.
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Lieutenant General Robert L. Van Antwerp
Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp

Since 2004, Lt. Gen. Van Antwerp has served as Chief of Army Accessions Command, which is responsible for recruiting efforts. Previously, he served as Commanding General at the Army Engineer School in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He also served as Commander of the Corps� South Atlantic Division and in the Los Angeles District during the Northridge earthquake.

Having graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1972, Lt. Gen. Van Antwerp holds a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from University of Michigan.

The Corps has many challenges. Foremost on PNWA�s mind is the maintenance, improvement and, in some cases, rehabilitation of our nation�s navigation infrastructure. We look forward to working with Lt. Gen Van Antwerp upon his confirmation.

Staff contact: Glenn Vanselow

Corps and Port of Portland dredges work on channel deepening

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of Portland are stepping in to keep the Columbia River channel deepening project moving forward. The work was originally awarded by the Corps to private dredging contractor Bean Stuyvesant, of New Orleans. The $27 million contract called for Bean Stuyvesant to deepen 15 miles in the lower Columbia and to do maintenance work at the mouth of the Columbia River.

After the bid was won and the contract awarded, the contractor could not provide the dredge to do the work, due to extended maintenance requirements. The Corps responded quickly, putting its own dredge Essayons to work on river miles 91-95 and calling on the Port of Portland�s dredge Oregon to work miles 40-41. The Oregon will then move to the Vancouver area where it will pipe dredge material to the Port of Vancouver�s Columbia Gateway area.

This is the first time in 30 years that the Corps has used the federal dredge fleet to deepen a channel. The Corps dredges are almost exclusively used for channel maintenance.

PNWA has long been working to eliminate Congressionally-imposed restrictions on the use of the federal dredges Essayons and Yaquina.� That is a PNWA priority for a Water Resources Development Act this year. This current need for the federal dredges to step in to complete work in a timely manner is another example of why these two dredges need to be available to work when needed.

Staff contact: Glenn Vanselow

Joint Continuing Resolution is passed in the House

Yesterday, the House passed a spending measure to keep the government running for the remainder of FY2007.� H.J.Res. 20 was passed (286 to 140) to provide funding for the government through September 30, 2007.

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This bill, which now heads to the Senate for consideration, would keep most agencies operating at FY2006 funding levels.� However, it removes the �earmarks� that give much of the specific project spending guidance these agencies are usually provided.� These earmarks are usually included in lengthy, detailed report language that accompanies the more general funding terms in the actual spending bill.

The current continuing resolution (CR) will expire on February 15^th.� Congress is expected to finish work on H.J.Res. 20 in time, and the Administration has noted that the President is expected to sign this bill.

PNWA has had several discussions with agencies who provide services to Northwest stakeholders.� Preliminary feedback indicates that PNWA-supported projects should fare well in this extended CR, and no serious funding shortfalls are anticipated.

PNWA urges Congress to complete work on the FY2008 appropriations bills in a timely manner this year, and avoid the need for long term CRs.� The President�s budget will be released on Monday, February 5^th, and this kicks off the Congressional appropriations process.� PNWA will report on the budget shortly after it is released.

Staff contact: Kristin Meira

PNWA Mission to Washington special event � RSVP by Monday, February 5^th

I would like to remind all members that the 2007 Mission to Washington special event is an evening with the Kennedy Center�s National Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, March 8^th at 7:00pm. We must receive your RSVP no later than Monday, February 5^th, 2007 in order to reserve your spot for one of the Kennedy Center�s premiere NSO Classical Series Events.

Staff contact: Heather Kenneson

Save the date: PNWA�s �Taste the Northwest� Capitol Hill Reception, March 6

Please save March 6 on your calendar for PNWA�s traditional reception held each year in association with our Mission to Washington, DC. We have not yet distributed formal invitations to the reception, as we are awaiting final word on how potential ethics legislation might affect this event. Nevertheless, we have reserved the Senate Caucus Room, 325 Russell, for 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, March 6. We look forward to sending you a formal invitation in the near future.

Staff contact: Heather Kenneson

2007 Mission to Washington hotel room block is almost full

The PNWA staff is looking forward to having an impressive number of members at the 2007 Mission to Washington to represent the policies and projects our region cares about. Due to the great success of this year�s registration, it has come to our attention that the Washington Court Hotel room block is nearly full. PNWA would therefore like to encourage those who have not had a chance to make hotel reservations to do so as soon as possible. Once the Washington Court Hotel�s room block is full, we will not be able to guarantee the negotiated group rate of $255/night. To make your reservation now, call (800) 321-3010 or log on to www.washingtoncourthotel.com and ask for your reservation to be in the PNWA room block.

If you are unable to make your Washington Court Hotel reservation before the room block is full, provided below are some alternate hotels that are convenient to our conference hotel. The room rates listed below are subject to availability and may change as we get closer to the Mission. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible at the Mission to Washington and would like to make your stay in DC as comfortable as possible.