Ports support new alternative for channel deepening mitigation

After hearing their respective commissions request more effort to find alternatives to Martin Island for mitigation property in the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project, the Ports of Vancouver, Kalama and Longview support a new alternative presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps of Engineers earlier today told the Colf family that mitigation and habitat restoration will now occur on properties already owned by the ports – Cottonwood Island and the Chumbley property in the Woodland Bottoms.                               

“The ports are going forward without needing the Colf property on Martin Island,” said Port of Longview Executive Director Ken O’Hollaren. “This is a solution that allows the family to keep all of their property and allows the project to proceed with mitigation and habitat restoration that meets all federal regulations.”

During May meetings that included the family, each of the three commissions postponed decisions on the use of eminent domain to acquire Martin Island for that mitigation and habitat restoration. Each of the commissions heard the concerns of the family and asked the Corps of Engineers to exhaust all options to reach a settlement or an alternative.

“Throughout this complicated process, we were determined to avoid the use of eminent domain if at all possible,” said Port of Vancouver Executive Director Larry Paulson. “We are pleased that an alternative mitigation plan that meets all of the agencies’ needs and all of the stakeholders’ needs was found.”

A request by Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) to minimize the impact on agricultural land has been met by this solution as well.

“We have an appreciation for the family’s deep concerns and desires to keep their land,” said Port of Kalama Executive Director Lanny Cawley. “We believe this new approach meets their desires.”                                         

The Columbia River Channel Improvement Project is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon and Washington ports to deepen the navigation channel between the ocean and Portland/Vancouver from 40 to 43 feet. When finished will provide a deeper shipping channel that will help transport additional cargo that supports thousands of family-wage jobs throughout the region, and will bring additional employment opportunities.

* * * * * * * *

The Port of Vancouver, USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

- POV -