The Columbia River Channel Improvement Project is designed to improve the deep-draft transport of goods by deepening the existing 40-foot navigation channel to 43 feet.

Why is channel deepening necessary?

The existing channel is not deep enough to handle the new generation of larger, more fuel-efficient, deep-draft vessels rapidly entering the maritime industry. The limitations of the current depth threaten the region's ability to access world markets.

What are the economic benefits?

Maintaining marine commerce by deepening the navigational channel is critical to the trade-dependent economies of Oregon and Washington.

Some of the produce you buy in the supermarket; the steel that's girding new buildings in town; many of the automobiles you see on the road: These are everyday things we take for granted, but they wouldn't be here if it weren't for ports.

In fact, your local port, the Port of Vancouver, USA, creates an economic ripple effect that is surprisingly far-reaching.

-Nearly 5,500 jobs are directly tied to the maritime and industrial activities at the Port.

-One in three jobs in the state of Washington are trade related. Some jobs are created by manufacturers whose plants are sited on the Port's industrial property. Other jobs are created to support shipping activities.

-Port activities inject $794 million in business revenue in Clark County annually.

-Port workers earn $242 million in wages and salaries.

-Their purchases add another $124 million to our local economy, and the goods and services they buy help support other jobs in our community.

-Port workers and businesses contribute about $29 million in state and local taxes, helping improve local services, like police, fire, buses, and schools.

How will the environment be impacted?

The Columbia River Channel Improvement project was conceived, studied and designed to minimize impacts on threatened and endangered species, and their habitat. In addition, the project will actually contribute to improving the river and estuary conditions.

One common misconception is that channel deepening is equivalent to digging a three-foot trench from Astoria, Ore. to Vancouver, Wash. In fact, channel deepening is very similar in scope to the current maintenance dredging that occurs every year in the Columbia River. About 46 percent of the 600-foot wide navigational channel is naturally deeper than 43 feet. Only about 3.5 percent of the entire river will actually require deepening between Astoria and Vancouver.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) feasibility study on the project found that dredging does not impose unacceptable impacts to fish since juvenile salmon migrate in the shallow areas of the river near the shore, not in the deep water of the navigation channel.

According to studies and analysis, there are 287 acres that will be impacted by the project, including 20 acres of wetlands. Those direct impacts will be addressed by 740 acres of mitigation. In addition, the project plans 1,250 acres of ecosystem restoration to wetland habitats at Shillapoo Lake and the enhancement of 38 miles of spawning streams.

Port sponsors are committed to leaving the river better than it was before the project. Channel deepening will only proceed when the project complies will ALL federal and state environmental laws.Without approval from both the states of Washington and Oregon, as well as federal resource agencies, the project simply will not happen.

What is the current status of the project?

25% of the Columbia River deep-draft federal navigation channel was deepened from 40 to 43 feet by the end of 2005. The Corps is now exploring the most efficient contractual options to complete another portion of deepening in FY 2006 ($15 million in funding). Future federal appropriations are necessary for the completion of Channel Deepening.

How much will the project cost?

The project is estimated at $155.6 million.

Oregon and Washington will each contribute state funds of $27.7 million each (totaling 35% of the total), with the remainder of funds (65%) coming from federal appropriations.

Who is involved?

Port of Vancouver is one of six ports on the lower Columbia River sponsoring the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project. Others include Portland and St. Helens in Oregon; and Woodland, Kalama and Longview in Washington.

For more information, please visit the Columbia River Channel Coalition Web site at www.ChannelDeepening.com or contact the Coalition directly at CRCC@ChannelCoalition.com or (503) 285-6343.