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In this
issue: Finalized
WRDA bill may move in Senate next week FY2008
Energy & Water Appropriations bill stalled Corps and PNWA celebrate completion of interim repairs
to North and South jetties Finalized WRDA bill may move in Senate
next week Recently,
PNWA reported that the conference committee charged with reconciling the
House and Senate versions of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act had
finished their work, and that the completed bill was ready for final passage
and to be signed into law.� This bill
contains a number of provisions that PNWA has been advocating on behalf of
our members, with great support from our region�s Congressional
delegation.� Shortly before the August
recess, the House overwhelmingly passed the conference report, with a vote of
381-40.� Unfortunately, the bill was
not taken up by the Senate as quickly, and supporters have been worried about
the timeline for Senate passage this fall, given the number of other bills
and debates that are competing for time on the Senate calendar. Good news
is now coming out of PNWA
staff sent letters to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as well as Senate
Environment & Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer to urge the
consideration of the WRDA conference report on the Senate floor this
month.� Sen. Boxer specifically
mentioned PNWA�s letter sent to her in May urging
passage of the Senate�s WRDA bill in her remarks in the Congressional Record.
Letters from other trade and industry groups from around the nation were also
included.� Once the Senate passes the
measure, we will send a similar message of support to the President, as well
as Assistant Secretary of the Army John Paul Woodley. We are
very pleased that this year�s WRDA bill is within sight of the finish line,
and we look forward to supporting the effort for a WRDA until it eventually
becomes law.� For more information
about WRDA, including PNWA-supported provisions that are included in the
conference report, please visit www.pnwa.net and click on �Water Resources
Development Act�. PNWA
Staff Contact: Kristin Meira FY2008 Energy & Water Appropriations
bill stalled Nor�wester readers may remember the flurry
of activity surrounding the House and Senate FY2008 Energy & Water
appropriations bills in June and July.�
This is the bill that annually funds important Corps of Engineers
federal navigation projects in the Northwest and around the country.� Unfortunately, progress has stalled since
then.� The FY2007 fiscal year ends on
September 30th, and Congressional leaders are already discussing a
continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the government for several
weeks, until more appropriations bills are completed - either individually,
or several rolled into a large omnibus spending bill. The House
successfully passed their FY2008 Energy & Water appropriations bill (H.R.2641)
in mid-July by a margin of 312-112, and the full Senate Appropriations
committee reported their bill in late June (S.1751).� However, a vote on the Senate bill has not
yet happened, and it is unclear if or when time will be made available on the
Senate calendar for the measure.�
Whether the full Senate ever passes their bill or not, the two
versions will ultimately be reconciled in a conference committee, which may
be informal in nature.� As time runs
out to complete the bill, it is possible that appropriators will �split the
difference� when dealing with projects that have differing funding amounts in
the House and Senate bills.� For
example, a project with $100K in the House bill and $200K in the Senate bill
might reasonably expect $150K to be the final number that is included in the
final spending bill, though nothing is certain.� PNWA members are encouraged to continue
engaging and advocating for their projects until the FY2008 funding process
is eventually completed this fall or winter. The House
and Senate bills provide significant increases for PNWA-supported projects in
the Northwest.� This year, the House
bill recommends increases of $9,351,000 for eight PNWA projects, and the
Senate bill has $8,320,000 in additional PNWA priority project funding.� These numbers are increases over and above
the Administration�s recommended funding levels.� PNWA and its diverse membership appreciate
the efforts of our Northwest Congressional delegation to secure these funding
increases, and we will continue to engage in the appropriations process to
meet Northwest needs. As the
House and Senate move toward completion of the FY2008 Energy & Water
appropriations bill, PNWA will keep you informed of specific project funding
numbers and important language in the bills.�
For more information, or to find out how to get involved please
contact PNWA at 503-234-8550 or www.pnwa.net.
PNWA
Staff Contact: Kristin Meira Corps and PNWA celebrate
completion of interim repairs to North and South jetties
������������������������� There were many in attendance at the September 14th
event to show their support of the Corps� continued jetty rehabilitation, and
to commend USACE Portland District Commander Col. Thomas O�Donovan and his
team for their successful completion of the project.� Those who spoke in support of the jetties were
U.S. Rep. David Wu (D, OR-1); U.S. Senator Patty Murray�s State Director,
John Engber; As the repairs were underway, the Corps has been simultaneously
studying the long-term rehabilitation of the jetty system. �The jetty rehab report is scheduled to be
completed by May 2008.� The President�s
FY2008 budget included $375,000 to continue work on the major rehab study of
the jetties. �The Senate has added
$2.77M to the Mouth of the Columbia O&M account to address the rehab
report as well as a new area of concern at the base of the North Jetty. �PNWA has advocated for the highest funding
amount possible during lobbying trips to Capitol Hill, in meetings with Corps
leadership in DC, and with staff from OMB. PNWA strongly supports this important regional
project, and recognizes the Northwest Congressional delegation, the
Administration, and the Corps for their continued commitment to this project. 2007 PNWA Annual Meeting online
registration reminder
Make plans TODAY to join PNWA for our 2007 Annual Meeting!� Online registration is available
NOW!� To register for the 2007 PNWA
Annual Meeting click HERE�secure online credit card
payments are now accepted! 2007 PNWA Annual Meeting October 10th-12th, 2007 Red Lion Hotel at the Quay 1-800-RED-LION Featured speakers of the 2007 Annual Meeting
include: Doug Badger, Executive Director, Beth Ginsberg, Attorney, Stoel Rives
LLP Greg Graham, Deputy District Engineer for Project Management,
USACE Walla Walla District Wally Hickerson, Vice President, CH2M
Hill Laura Hicks, Project Manager, USACE Portland District Dennis Kern, Vice President, Dale Learn, Vice President, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government
Relations Jeff McEwen, Regional Manager, Hanjin Alex McGregor, President, The McGregor Company Dr. David Shelton, Executive Director, Kate Wilson, President, Steve Wright, CEO, Bonneville Power Administration PNWA Staff Contact: Heather
Kenneson Pacific Northwest Waterways Association www.pnwa.net |
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