House subcommittee spends money on Columbia River

House subcommittee spends money on Columbia River    The House Appropriations energy and water subcommittee voted Thursday to target $15 million in fiscal year 2006 for dredging operations to deepen the Columbia River that separates Washington and Oregon.
   The Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to complete work on its version of a energy and water appropriations bill, but is expected to earmark a significantly larger amount for the project than the House, according to the Columbia River Channel Coalition.
   The Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded a contract to Great Lakes Dredging to begin deepening parts of the main channel an extra three feet to 43 feet. Congress has appropriated $19 million for the project during the past four years, including $9 million in fiscal 2005.
   The Columbia River Channel Coalition said the House funding level is significant because the House to date appropriates less money for the project than the Senate. Last year the House Appropriations Committee allocated $3 million while the Senate Appropriations Committee set aside $15 million, before agreeing on a $9 million compromise appropriation.
   Business and government officials in Washington and Oregon argue the extra draft will allow larger or fully loaded vessels to call on the Port of Portland and other small ports on the river, thereby making ocean transportation to the area more economical for carriers and providing an outlet for exports.
   The coalition has requested $40 million for the federal share of the project in 2006.