Bush includes $15 million in budget to deepen Columbia river channel

Bush includes $15 million in budget to deepen Columbia river channel    President Bush has earmarked $15 million for the Columbia River channel improvement project in his fiscal year 2006 budget request. The project aims to deepen the channel from 40-feet to 43-feet.
   Columbia River Channel Coalition members are requesting a further $40 million for the project in the fiscal year 2006 energy and water appropriations bill. “Money in the President’s budget is good news, and $15 million is a good first step” said Ken O’Hollaren, executive director of the Port of Longview and president of the Columbia River Channel Coalition. “We’ll be working hard in a very tight budget environment for a larger appropriation. Support remains incredibly strong in Congress, including
every member of the Northwest Congressional delegation.”
   The project was authorized by congress in 1999 and will cost $150.5 million to complete. Non-federal sources must fund approximately 35 percent of total project costs, with the federal government paying the remaining 65 percent. So far, congress has appropriated a total of $19 million for the project: $4.5 million in FY 2001, $2 million in FY 2003, $3.5 million for FY 2004; and $9 million for FY 2005.
   This summer, appropriated federal and state funds will enable approximately 15 miles in the lower Columbia River navigation channel and 10 miles in the upper river near Portland/Vancouver to be dredged to the new depth of 43-feet, pending successful resolution of litigation in the spring.