Baird: dredging funds will boost local economy

Congressman Brian Baird applauded news that fiscal year 2007 funding for the deepening of the Columbia River would be doubled from $15 million to $30 million.

The announcement of $15 million additional dollars was unexpected as the Administration had itself requested and approved the original $15 million within the President's budget last year.

"Investing additional funds earlier on will enable the region to realize economic benefits much more rapidly, and will lead to a faster pay back for the taxpayers and our economy," said Congressman Baird. "By deepening the channel sooner, more fully loaded vessels will be able to travel the river that much more quickly, which translates into jobs, economic growth, and a stronger position for our region in the international marketplace."

Congressman Baird helped secure the $15 million for dredging of the River in the House Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2007 that passed in May 2006.

In January 2003, the Army Corps of Engineers determined the benefit-to-cost ratio of the Columbia River Channel Deepening project to be 1.7 to 1 ($18.8 million in annual transportation savings vs. $11.0 million in annual costs). The estimated total construction cost of the project is $148.4 million, including an estimated federal share of $92.6 million and estimated share for Oregon and Washington states and sponsoring ports of $55.4 million.

The Channel Deepening project includes restoration of tidal marsh, wetlands, native riparian vegetation, shallows, and fish access to spawning streams.