Action Agenda Events

Water Resources Development Act

PNWA is currently preparing for a 2010 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WRDA is traditionally biennial legislation and was last passed in 2007. When Congress moves forward with a WRDA 2010, PNWA will advocate for inclusion of language to make Section 214 regulatory funding authority permanent. To view PNWA's fact sheet on Section 214, please click here.

PNWA is also supporting the following projects at our member ports:

Clover Island shoreline stabilization and ecosystem restoration project
Port of Kennewick, WA
 The shoreline of Clover Island has experienced significant erosion, compromising fish habitat as well as human access to the waterfront. Concrete will be removed from shoreline, and replaced with a more natural environment for fish and wildlife.

Clover Island extinguishment of reversionary interests and use restriction
Port of Kennewick, WA
Deed restrictions attached to Port of Kennewick land that was formerly owned by the Corps should be lifted to allow appropriate project development.

Habitat Enhancement & Development Framework Plan for the Nichols Basin
Port of Hood River, OR
This Plan would identify upland development and habitat enhancement alternatives, determine fill volumes and costs, and identify development opportunities associated with an old industrial lagoon and brownfield site and initiate extinguishment of old flowage easements. Completion of the plan will allow the Port to determine investment strategies that will reduce future federal liability due to flooding and restoration needs, enhance the environmental condition of the waterfront, Columbia River and Nichols Boat Basin, and enhance opportunities for job creation and economic development in Hood River, Oregon.

Background: WRDA is legislation that authorizes water resources projects and Army Corps of Engineers civil works programs. Corps responsibilities include navigation, flood control, shoreline protection, hydropower, dam safety, water supply, recreation, environmental restoration and protection, disaster response and recovery.

Congress successfully overrode a Presidential veto of the 2007 WRDA bill on November 7, 2007, enacting the bill into law for the first time since 2000. PNWA greatly appreciates the Northwest Congressional delegation's unanimous support of this legislation over the years, and for securing provisions of great importance to PNWA members.

Among PNWA’s priorities included in the 2007 WRDA bill were:

For a full list of PNWA's priorities that were included in WRDA 2007, please click HERE.

2010 WRDA Project Request Forms
Rep. Brian Baird (WA - 3)
Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR - 4)
Rep. Jay Inslee (WA - 1)
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA - 5)
Rep. Dave Reichert (WA - 8)
Rep. Mike Simpson (ID - 2)
Rep. Adam Smith (WA - 9)
Rep. Greg Walden (OR - 2)
Rep. David Wu (OR - 1)

Supporting Materials

PNWA's WRDA 2010 requests
Section 214 Fact Sheet
PNWA Celebrates WRDA 2007
PNWA WRDA 2007 provisions - at a glance
Senate Republicans send WRDA support letter to the President
PNWA sends WRDA support letter to President Bush
PNWA Letter to Senate leadership in support of WRDA
Congressional Record entry for Sen. Boxer's comments on PNWA WRDA support letter
West Coast House Delegation Letter in support of permanency for Section 214
West Coast Senate delegation letter in support of permanency for Section 214
West Coast House delegation letter in support of west coast federal hopper dredges Essayons and Yaquina
West Coast Senate delegation letter in support of west coast federal hopper dredges Essayons and Yaquina
National Waterways Conference Letter to House leadership in support of WRDA
National Waterways Conference Letter to Senate leadership in support of WRDA
Support letter from 78 Senators to pass WRDA this year
Section 214 Extension Bill (H.R.4826) passes the House (Watch Clip)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Minimum Dredge Fleet report to Congress
PNWA's Minimum Dredge Fleet Study
PNWA's Case for Federal Hopper Dredge Fleet (One-page fact sheet)
WA House delegation supports study of Seattle seawall