Issuu

E XCHANGE JULY / AUGUST

2021

THE

E XCHANGE

WELCOME TO THE

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Directors

As we approach the mid-year mark for 2021 and the world around us starts to emerge again from under the cloud of the pandemic, we are struck with a renewed sense of pride in the essential work and resiliency of our maritime community. Make sure to visit our Port Report section of The Exchange this month to see what progress has been made at our local port authorities!

Membership

Friends of the Exchange

Bonneville Power Administration

Business Oregon

From all of us at the Merchants Exchange, we thank you for your continued support.

U.S Coast Guard, Sector Columbia River

The Port Report

Port of Portland

Port of Astoria

Port of Kalama

Port of Pasco

Port of Longview

Port of Vancouver

Association Updates

Maritime Fire and Safety Association

Clean Rivers Cooperative

Editorial Team

Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee

>> Mary Wiley - wiley@pdxmex.com >> Bekah Canfield - canfield@pdxmex.com >> Anthony O’Reilly - oreilly@pdxmex.com

Maritime Commerce Club

Liz Wainwright, Executive Director Merchants Exchange

NOTE FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM The Exchange is the bi-monthly newsletter of the Merchants Exchange. We are pleased to share the work being done by staff and the direction we are going, as well as community news and reports from industry stakeholders. Members: If you have an article or an announcement that you would like to be included in future issues of The Exchange, please contact us: newsletter@ pdxmex.com.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Todd Krout (2023) President Port of Vancouver USA

Roger Hsieh (2024) Treasurer BNSF Railway Company

Chris Cummins (2024) Vice President General Steamship Corp

Alex Scott (2023) Secretary Anchorage Launch Co.

Geoff Doerfler (2024) Tidewater Barge Lines Earl Dixon (2024) United Grain Corp

Eric Kastner (2022) Cascade Marine Agencies LTD Ryan Statz (2022) Columbia Grain, Inc. Legal Counsel: Tyson Calvert, Esq. Lindsay Hart LLP

Jim Cockrell (Ex Officio) Board President, Clean Rivers Cooperative Owens Corning Mat Cusma (Ex Officio) Board President, Maritime Fire & Safety Association Schnitzer Steel Capt. Jeremy Nielsen (Ex Officio) Columbia River Pilots

MEMBERSHIP Our membership makes up the core of the local marine shipping community. Our members include, but are not limited to: steamship operators, admiralty attorneys, customs brokers, tug and barge companies, freight forwarders, stevedores, ship repair service facilities and port authorities. The Exchange is a provider of vessel and cargo information. It serves as a hub for local industry

education as well as association management and networking activities. Our members enjoy a direct relationship with the Merchants Exchange and its services. Each member company is able to vote for Merchants Exchange board of director nominees and is eligible for board membership. All of our services and activities are member focused.

Vessel and cargo information services that are currently offered include: • Vessel Reporting • Communication Support Service • Vessel and Cargo Statistics • Daily Grain Bulletin • Grain Committee Membership • Answering Service • Special Reports and Services

The Merchants Exchange caters its services to the ever-changing needs of local industry. We are constantly working to develop new ways to help our members do business. If the service you need is not listed, ask us and we can work to develop it for you. For more information about membership, visit our website at: www.pdxmex.com THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE Highlighting organizations and companies that support Merchants Exchange and the maritime community. Would your organization like to support the maritime industry, too?

GET YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN OUR NEWSLETTER AND REACH NEARLY A 1,000 MARITIME PROFESSIONALS WITH A FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE MEMBERSHIP! CONTACT WILEY@PDXMEX TO LEARN MORE.

FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE The Merchants Exchange is proud to be a cornerstone of the maritime industry with over 140 years of service to the Lower Columbia Region. We would like to invite our community partners along the River to join in our mission to support and promote the maritime industry with our “Friends of the Exchange” program. As a Friend of the Exchange, you are showing your support to our maritime industry and raising awareness within our community. Friends of the Exchange are offered the following benefits with their annual support of $150:

SUP POR EXC T SUP HANGE; THE PORT INDU STR Y THE

Become a FRIEND OF THE EXCHANGE

• Invitations to our Member/Networking Events: Open House, Annual Bocce Tournament, Shipping Education Series, and other special events throughout the year • Discounted Member Rate for our Shipping Education Series * • Subscription to “The Exchange,” bi-monthly newsletter, Daily News Bulletin, and industry email updates • One (1) feature article in our newsletter and three (3) social postings featuring your organziation • Service Directory listing, career opportunity postings and recognition on our website and newsletter • Sponsorship opportunities * Please note: Friends of the Exchange are not members of the Merchants Exchange and therefore are not eligible to receive member rates for any services or reports associated with membership, with the exception of the member rate to the Shipping Education Series. For more information contact: Mary Wiley, Marketing and Membership Manager at Wiley@pdxmex.com or call (503) 220-2515 or online at www.pdxmex.com/about-member/friends.

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BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION

BPA HELPS RESTORE AND PROTECT COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN WETLANDS Have you ever seen a marshy area near a river or ocean and wondered what it was? There’s more to this habitat than meets the eye. Roaring rivers and the mighty Pacific Ocean probably spring to mind when you think of the lifecycles of Northwest fish and wildlife. But plenty of fish, like endangered salmon and steelhead, and many species of birds and other animals rely on wetlands and their interconnected habitats for survival. With its many environmental partners, the Bonneville Power Administration celebrates World Wetlands Day each year to help raise awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people, our region and the planet. The day marks the 1971 adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface of the ground, either seasonally or all year. They often provide critical habitat for young salmon to eat, grow and get protection from seasonal high water events and predators as they journey to the ocean. If you like Northwest salmon, thank a wetland. In addition to providing habitat and a food source for fish and wildlife, wetlands also: • Stabilize shorelines. • Filter and purify water. • Recharge ground water. THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

Bulldozers enter the Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge embarking on a fish habitat restoration project. The effort supported by BPA will reconnect 960 acres of wetlands that have been cut off from the Columbia River for generations.

• Cool water temperatures. • Store water and provide flood protection. As part of its mitigation efforts for the construction and operation of Columbia and Snake river dams, BPA, with federal, state, tribal and other partners, has improved thousands of acres of fish and wildlife habitat along Northwest rivers and their tributaries. Examples of some of the work funded by BPA ratepayers include the removal of an old water-control structure on Government Island to reconnect 289 acres of floodplain and marshland to help young salmon and steelhead. Check out Government Island and another smaller restoration projectin the Columbia River estuary near Portland, Oregon.

Near Astoria, Oregon, Northwest utility ratepayers helped purchase land that farmers had diked and separated from the Wallooskee and Youngs rivers decades ago. In partnership with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Northwest utility ratepayers paid to breach the dike, allowing hundreds of acres to flood twice a day with the rise and fall of ocean tides. The reactivation of hundreds of acres of flood plain is bringing great benefits to young salmon, steelhead and other species of fish and wildlife. Read more about the Steigerwald restoration project pictured above. It is BPA’s largest fish and wildlife habitat restoration effort in the lower Columbia River estuary. Read more at: www.bpa.gov

U.S. DOT/MARAD: PRACTICING A DATA-DRIVEN MISSION IN SUPPORT OF WATERBORNE TRANSPORTATION By Stephanie Prybyl, Business Oregon

ABOUT U.S. DOT: The Maritime Administration (MARAD), within the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), is responsible for America’s waterborne transportation system. This federal agency has long recognized the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine – the dynamic work of commercial mariners, vessels and intermodal facilities is self-reinforcing and foundational to the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest. Improved waterborne infrastructure offers access to global markets, relieves congestion, maintains jobs and plays a critical role in energy independence. MARAD furthers the use of waterborne transportation by coordinating with valued stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure is integrated seamlessly within the freight network. This means the agency supports the technical aspects of maritime transportation infrastructure, including ships and shipping, ports and vessel operations, national security, environment and safety.

on U.S.‑international trade and vessel activity at U.S. ports. MARAD uses this data to monitor the performance of its programs and to ascertain the effectiveness of meeting mission requirements. The work of this Office compliments the work of the U.S .DOT Bureau of Transportation Statics (BTS). The Bureau promotes innovative methods of data collection, analysis, visualization, and dissemination to improve operational efficiency, to examine emerging topics, and to create relevant and timely information products that foster understanding of transportation. US DOT is a preeminent source of statistics on commercial aviation, multimodal freight activity, and transportation economics. Databases housed on its website(s) are accessible to policymakers and the public alike, sorted by topic, statistical analyses and even the National Transportation Library.

A DATA-DRIVEN MISSION: MARAD’s Office of Policy and Plans demonstrates the agency’s commitment to driving its mission by way of data. The Office publishes statistical and economic analyses and reports on a variety of maritime transportation topics. The Office regularly tracks the number of large, self‑propelled, ocean-going ships registered under U.S. flag, and other statistics 6

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BUSINESS OREGON

MARITIME MINDS SERIES PLEASE JOIN US: A pilot-session of the new “Maritime Minds” series was held in June with an audience made up of Oregon’s public ports. Merchant Exchange’s own Liz Wainwright was the featured speaker for this pilot session. During her presentation, she highlighted the data-collection capability of The Exchange, the 24/7/365 nature of Marine Operations on the River, and showed statistics highlighting vessel traffic and cargo trends. The Merchants Exchange provided statistics with a 20-year-historical-look at vessel traffic trends ranging from Oregon’s International Port of Coos Bay to the Port of Astoria and across “Marine Highway 84”. Cargo statistics focused on grain (wheat, soybeans, corn), fuels and autos. Did you know 63,366,355,987 lbs of grain was exported out of the Columbia River in 2020? This grain went to 21 countries around the world!

Anyone who serves, manages, works within or otherwise supports the maritime community may contact Business Oregon, as the event’s in-state coordinator, to attend the “Maritime Minds” series or express interest in presenting. Furthermore, if you have a need for data or questions about ferry systems, infrastructure development, marine highways, strategic seaports or emergency preparedness please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to introduce you to our MARAD partners, including Bruce Lambert, MARAD’s Gateway Director for the Pacific Northwest/Alaska at 206-200-5744 or bruce. lambert@dot.gov. See you at the next gathering of the Maritime Minds! Stephanie Prybyl Business Oregon Ports Programming Stephanie.prybyl@oregon.gov Cell: 503-949-1710

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STATISTICS After last year’s dramatic plunge in auto sales, we are experiencing a boom in the auto market for 2Q 2021! Resurgent demand is coming at a time when auto plants around the globe are experiencing reduced production due to computer chip shortage and parts delays. Check out the data we’ve collected for auto import/export in the Lower Columbia Region.

Total Auto Ve 25 20 15 10 5 0

Auto Vessel A 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2

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Portland 8

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Jun-21

May-21

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essel Arrivals

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Arrivals by Port

Vancouver

U.S COAST GUARD, SECTOR COLUMBIA RIVER Area of Responsibility: 420 nautical miles of Washington and Oregon coastline, 33 ports, 465 miles of navigable rivers throughout WA, OR, and ID, including the Columbia River, Salmon & Snake Rivers in the east (Idaho).

Local Notice to Mariners 13th District - Recap OREGON – WASHINGTON – IDAHO – 2021 Light List AIS-ATON Information

“Guardians of the Pacific Northwest” To ensure the safety, security, environmental protection and efficient flow of commerce affecting a $20B maritime transportation system, 8.5M ton grain export, 1500 foreign vessel arrivals, 50K cruise passengers, 290K recreational boats, 2K commercial fishing vessels, and 52 Maritime Transportation Safety Act facilities. Sector Columbia River Response Missions (search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and support for other units) are carried out from Warrenton, OR. Sector Columbia River Prevention Missions (marine safety, vessel inspection, aids to navigation support, and waterways management) are managed by Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Portland located in Portland, OR.

The introduction section Buoys, Beacons, and AIS-ATON of the 2021 Light List has been updated to include the differences, attributes, and chart portrayal of Physical AIS-ATON, Synthetic AIS-ATON, and Virtual AIS-ATON. Mariners are urged to positively identify the type of AIS-ATON and their unique attributes during voyage planning. Refer to the Light List and the AIS-ATON information in the introduction section; Buoys, Beacons, and AIS-ATON. Current Light Lists are available at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lightLists. Questions regarding AIS-ATON may be directed via email to the Coast Guard Navigation Center at tis-smb-echarting@uscg.mil. COLUMBIA RIVER - PASCO TO RICHLAND - LAKE WALLULA - Regulated Area for the Kennewick Hydroplane Races In conjunction with the Tri-Cities Water Follies Columbia Cup, the Kennewick Hydroplane Races Regulated Area will be in effect from 0600 to 1800 on 23 – 25 Jul 2021. The Regulated area includes all navigable waters within the Columbia River in the vicinity of Columbia Park, commencing at the US-395 12 Blue Highway Bridge (LLNR 13057) and continuing up river approximately 2 NM and terminating at the northern end of Wade Island. Vessels may not transit the regulated area without Captain of the Port approval. Vessels permitted to transit must operate at a no wake speed and in a manner which will not endanger participants or other vessels in the event. COLUMBIA RIVER – BONNEVILLE TO THE DALLES – Marine construction/ demolition at Drano Lake Advanced American Construction (AAC) will be conducting existing pier removal in the Columbia River at the mouth of Little White Salmon River / Drano Lake near RM 116. Operations include wire saw, concrete demolition and pile removal. Onsite work is expected to occur from 06 Jul 2021 to 28 Feb 2022. AAC’s Derrick Barge DB 4100 and tug Lindy Marie, and work barges will be on station and monitoring VHF-FM channel 16 during the working hours of 0700 through 1800, Monday through Saturday. The floating equipment will remain on-station during non-working hours and will be illuminated at night by fixed white lights on all corners. Mariners are asked to transit the area with extreme caution and minimize wake. Please contact Shad Huber (360) 953-4833 Shadh@callAAC.com or Scott Miller at (503) 5684313 scottm@callAAC.com with questions. WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

THE PORT REPORT The Columbia River Maritime Transportation System has 23 Ports over the course of 3 waterways. We are pleased to provide an outlet for local ports to share their news with our membership.

Will Isom Executive Director Port of Astoria

Doug Hayes Executive Director Port of Columbia County

Mark Wilson Executive Director Port of Kalama

Dan Stahl Chief Executive Officer Port of Longview

Curtis Robinhold Executive Director Port of Portland

Juliana Marler Chief Executive Officer Port of Vancouver USA

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PORT OF PORTLAND

LOCAL YOUTH DESIGN ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS FOR COLUMBIA SLOUGH The wildfires in our region during the summer of 2020 sparked a renewed conversation about the urgent need to address climate change. For six local teenagers, however, it was conversations about the temperature of the water that made the topic real last summer. And they’re doing something about it. The Columbia Slough is a 19-mile-long complex of narrow and shallow channels located south of the Columbia River between Fairview Lake and the Willamette River. Historically, the Columbia Slough watershed featured lakes, wetlands and slow-moving channels that received seasonal flooding from the Columbia River. Today, the watershed is highly urbanized and is managed for flood control with levees and pumps but remains an important safe haven for local wildlife and nature. The Slough also has elevated water temperatures, and that’s not good. When the water warms, combined with excess nutrients, it leads to excessive plant growth and algal blooms. These blooms absorb sunlight, making water even warmer and promoting more blooms. It is a negative feedback cycle that reduces the amount of oxygen in the water and suffocates fish and natural vegetation that is important to local animals like ducks and turtles. The Columbia Slough Watershed Council (CSWC), a longtime Port partner, had a creative idea that might help: could floating wetlands cool the water? A floating wetland is essentially 12

a human-made raft that floats on the water’s surface and houses native wetland plants. They help remove excess nutrients and pollutants and increase water quality. CSWC engaged the Blueprint Foundation to get their answer. Blueprint prepares Black youth in the Portland area for careers in environmental science and green building through experiential learning. Through a series of workshops led by CSWC, six local youth learned about wetland ecology and design and created mini prototypes for their floating wetlands. Then, they built full-scale models to test for a few months. “I was surprised with how quickly the kids got into this work. They dug into the project and got creative so fast. I loved watching them use their intuition to learn and grow,” said Max Samuelson, stewardship director for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council. The six teenagers learned a lot from their initial designs. Two big lessons, in fact. First, their initial designs were not durable enough and fell apart. Second, ducks loved the floating wetlands … a little too much. Their next design had to withstand the damage that ducks inflicted when they were eating and lounging in the sun on the top of the floating wetland. “This project is about learning first, and environmental outcomes second. It was important to us that we gave these students WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

new math and design skills in a fun, creative way,” Max shared. “It was really cool to see the students come to the solutions on their own. They also learned an important design and engineering lesson: first trials don’t usually work.” After monitoring and assessing their original designs, the teenagers regrouped to build new and improved versions. They created four new floating wetlands using two different designs. One used synthetic material like plastic tubing, marine foam, and pond matting. The other used more natural materials, including cork, bamboo and erosion matting.

and inspire them and their peers towards greatness in all aspects of life.” CSWC is now monitoring the floating wetlands through photos, water samples and temperature checks. Their hope is that they’ll see cooler temperatures and nutrients in the water and can replicate these designs throughout the Slough. All thanks to six teenagers. The future is bright.

10 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP

“What I like about this project is how much it contributes to nature and our wildlife. It is important we take care of our land, our air, our water, our everything,” said TreVon Frison, a 2020 graduate of Roosevelt High School and 3-year participant in Blueprint (pictured in the middle in the photo above).

This partnership with CSWC and the Blueprint Foundation was funded through the Airport Futures natural resources program, which the Port has been implementing for the last 10 years. Components of the program include wetland enhancements, grassland mitigation, and watershed and tree canopy enhancements.

After rolling out their final designs last July, the students’ work was done. But it certainly wasn’t forgotten.

The Airport Futures natural resources program was an outcome of Airport Futures, a collaborative effort between the Port of Portland, City of Portland, and the PortlandVancouver metropolitan community to create an integrated long-range development plan for PDX. The natural resources program components were memorialized in an intergovernmental agreement between the Port of Portland and the City of Portland and is overseen by the PDX Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

“It was great to witness our students work together as a team to implement a practical solution to an observed challenge to their local watershed’s health and for them to know their efforts will have a lasting positive impact,” said Jason Stroman, program director at the Blueprint Foundation. “This is the very essence of experience that Blueprint aims to provide its youth, knowing that it will encourage, empower,

A natural resources subcommittee – made up of members including the City of Portland, Metro, Audubon Society, Verde, CSWC, and Multnomah County Drainage District – review and select the projects that are brought to the CAC for final approval. Projects must meet certain selection criteria to be considered. Over the last decade, this program has funded 13 projects focused on slough enhancement, totaling more than $340,000, and $230,000 in funding has helped Friends of Trees plant nearly 8,800 trees and shrubs in neighborhoods and greenspace surrounding PDX.

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PORT OF ASTORIA

PORT OF ASTORIA READY TO RESOLVE DECADES-OLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION For over 20 years, the Port of Astoria has been involved in negotiations over soil and groundwater contamination at the base of Slip 2, an area referred to as Area of Concern 4 (AOC4). The process to resolve liability has been lengthy and fraught with obstacles, but the Port is determined to see a resolution that will allow them to finally move forward with clean-up of the site. The contamination of AOC4 is a result of leaking underground storage tanks, pipes and other faulty infrastructure that had been utilized for oil delivery to marine vessels on Pier 2 during the last century. Petroleum hydrocarbons, including gasoline and dieselrange constituents, have contaminated site soil and groundwater. Free product also has been identified in the groundwater and appears as a sheen on the surface water of Slip 2. For most of the 1900s, the property was leased to oil companies that used the site for various services, including manufacturing, automotive service stations, bulk fuel storage facilities and fuel pipelines. In December of 2001, an order was issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to the Port of Astoria, as well as various former leaseholders, to fund and perform a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study. This group formed the Astoria Area-Wide Petroleum Site PRP Group. Fast-forward to 2021, and the Remedial Investigation Study has been completed THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

and a cost-sharing agreement has been signed by the Port of Astoria and other PRPs. The proposed clean-up project would include the construction and placement of an absorbent Marine Mattress system, which is a prefabricated grid of geotextile and composite materials, filled with gravel and a granular organoclay mixture designed to absorb petroleum constituents from groundwater passing through the mattress into Slip 2. Additional responsibilities of the Port would include annual monitoring of the physical condition of the Marine Mattress and the site for the next thirty years. As of July 2021, the Port has been waiting on a final Consent Order from DEQ, which will allow them to move forward with the project. From the Port’s perspective, this is the time to implement the proposed clean-up project that would resolve the groundwater contamination. Even with shared responsibility of other PRPs, the project will be costly and will not be a source of any additional revenues, but for the Port’s leadership team this is a highpriority project. Says the Port’s Executive Director: “To me, this is much bigger than just the dollars. We have a responsibility, much like DEQ; we have a shared vision in this regard; to be good stewards of the environment. And I think that’s what we’re trying to do.”

PORT OF ASTORIA LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH STRATEGIC AND CAPITAL FACILITIES PLANS In May of 2021, the Port of Astoria reached a landmark goal when Business Oregon officially approved their Strategic Business and Capital Facilities plans. This represents the culmination of a years-long effort to develop a comprehensive professional plan that will serve to guide the Port in future planning and development and will strengthen its relationship with Business Oregon. The Strategic Business Plan was initiated in 2016 and finalized in 2019. A link to the Port of Astoria’s Strategic Business Plan has been included on the Business Oregon website to serve as a modern reference for other ports and the ports community.

Business Plan, these two documents represent a major turning point in the Port's recent history. Working together and in support of each other, both documents provide critical direction and focus at a time when such highly focused efforts are necessary to maintain the Port's role as an economic driver for the NW Oregon region and the state.

Ultimately, the Strategic Business and Capital Facilities plans will be rolled up into a new Intergovernmental Agreement between Business Oregon and the Port of Astoria. The full text of these plans and more can be found on the Port Vision & Projects section of the Port of Astoria website: www. portofastoria.com.

The recently completed Capital Facilities Plan is a grounding reference for the Port, with a time map of all projects, based on funding, which will help the Port to further consider project needs such as permitting, contract, grant funding, and more moving forward. Along with the Strategic 16

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PORT OF KALAMA

PORT OF KALAMA MARINA RENOVATION COMPLETE Multi-year, multimillion dollar project to renovate the Port’s marina facilities wraps up just in time for the beautiful, longer days of summer. The Port of Kalama is putting the finishing touches on its long-awaited marina renovation project—the single largest upgrade to the marina complex since it was first dedicated back in 1977 by then Governor of Washington, Dixy Lee Ray. The first phase of the project began in 2017, with the replacement of the southern gangway, dock floats, piles, utilities, boat launch and fuel dock. Security features, such as fencing, gates and cameras were also upgraded and installed. The second, and most recent, phase of the project included the renovation of the central gangway—the main access point to the marina. Users of the facility will notice a more gradual slope of the twin gangways, making for a safer and easier transition to the lower level. THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

Also included in the second phase was the construction of the newest guest dock. The 528’ dock gives visitors more options for docking watercraft overnight so they can explore downtown, or enjoy the recreational amenities the Port of Kalama is famous for. “Part of the Port’s mission is to provide and enhance waterfront access for our community and this project absolutely embodies that spirit,” said Port Project Manager, Darin Sampson. “We’ve worked closely with our engineering consultants to create a facility for the community to enjoy and

we’re thrilled with the way it all came together.” The Port paid $7.5 million for the marina renovation project, $1.5 million of which was awarded in two separate grants from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Grants from this program are often awarded to agencies whose projects complement outdoor recreation opportunities for their communities. Now, just in time for summer, the Port of Kalama’s marina promises to be your new favorite getaway!

PORT OF PASCO

DARIGOLD, PORT INK DEAL FOR GLOBAL SCALE DAIRY PLANT The Port of Pasco’s commissioners unanimously approved the sale of approximately 150 acres of the Reimann Industrial Center to Darigold during a special commission meeting on Thursday, July 1. The company’s board of directors recently authorized the purchase and sale agreement and notified its members on June 30. Darigold intends to bring the new facility online in fall 2023. The commission’s action makes it possible for the port’s newest industrial park to welcome what will become the most sophisticated large scale milk protein facility in North America. Darigold plans to produce a new specialized protein powder and butter. More than 50 percent of the facility’s finished product is intended for export, with an emphasis on the Pacific Rim. “As commissioners, we’re excited by Darigold’s decision to locate at the Reimann. As Darigold invests approximately $500 million, this is the largest private industrial development to ever occur at the Port of Pasco,” Commission President Jim Klindworth said. “The new jobs at the plant and the new jobs at dairy farms create extraordinary opportunities for Franklin County residents.” Darigold has been working with the Port of Pasco since the fall of 2020 as part of its extensive Pacific Northwest 18

search for the right location for its new facility. Darigold officials predict the capital investment will range between $450 and $500 million. The region’s newest food and beverage facility will provide more than 1,000 jobs between onsite, indirect, supply chain, and services. “We are thrilled to welcome Darigold to Pasco and the Reimann as the anchor tenant in the Port’s largest industrial park. It’s incredibly rare to attract a project of this size and scope,” Executive Director Randy Hayden said. “Darigold’s state-of-theart facility will use the latest technology, serve as a model of sustainability, and create a new market for our region’s ag producers.” A closing date on the land sale is contingent upon the Port of Pasco and its state and local partners meeting several time sensitive deadlines. The primary tasks involve the construction of infrastructure that will serve the Reimann and Darigold. The Reimann Industrial Center is located on the East side of Railroad Avenue, North of the port’s Pasco Processing Center. “Our local and state partners creatively rolled up their sleeves to launch a plan that makes it possible to deliver critical infrastructure to the Reimann to serve the Darigold project,” Hayden said. “We’re especially grateful for the Washington State Legislature’s

support of $7.5 million to cover part of the costs for water, wastewater, roads, and rail improvements. The City of Pasco, Franklin County, Franklin PUD and TRIDEC are also making key investments.” The Port of Pasco and Darigold expect to close on the land sale within 120 to 180 days. The extended due diligence phase provides both entities time to confirm that Washington State’s new and future climate legislation will not impact this project. Darigold, like many of the state’s large food and beverage companies, is an energy intensive operation that relies on affordable and reliable energy resources to remain globally competitive. “The new specialized protein and butter operation in the Port of Pasco’s Reimann Industrial Center facility is expected to accelerate our farmer-owned cooperative’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, cementing a longstanding tradition of continuous stewardship and sustainability improvements,” said Stan Ryan, president, and CEO of Darigold. “A cut in greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation combined with a suite of cutting-edge efficiency technologies is expected to offset per unit emissions by up to 25%. The new facility will also create approximately 200 new high-quality jobs onsite and over 1,000 jobs in the supporting services and supply chain.” WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

PORT OF LONGVIEW

ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS KEEP THE PORT IN SHIP SHAPE

The Columbia River is the Port of Longview’s lifeblood and the responsibility of managing our relationship with it rests with our environmental team. These folks manage everything from the air around the Port, to the water produced from the cargo operations, all white making sure the Port adheres toa host of related, state-mandated permits. When moving bulk cargoes, it is important to capture particulates and prevent them from leaving the Port through the air or water. The Port does this by using powerful dust collection systems made up of enclosed conveyors, transition points and filters. As bulk cargoes move through the system, the air around them moves through giant filters called baghouses. Baghouses work like giant vacuum cleaners, trapping up to 99% of dust from the cargo operation. Just like the air, water at the Port is also carefully THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

monitored. Rainwater making contact with our paved surfaces (stormwater) is treated in eight different locations on site, while water run-off from cargo operations (wastewater) is collected and sent to on0site treatment facilities. Once debris is removed, the clarified water is sent for further processing at the city’s water treatment facility. Many operations at the Port are regulated by the Washington State Department of Ecology, which issues permits outlining how cargo is handled at our facility. Our environmental team expertly navigates through these complex permits, ensuring cargo operations run successfully and without interruption. 19

PORT OF VANCOUVER The Port of Vancouver USA welcomed Gov. Jay Inslee For a tour of the port’s marine facilities and a shipment of wind blades. The governor met with port staff and a representative from the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU), local 4.

GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE TOURS WIND BLADES

“The year 2020 was a remarkable year for the port in terms of moving wind energy and we are thrilled to showcase the port’s capabilities to Governor Inslee,” said Julianna Marler, CEO, Port of Vancouver USA. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners, customers and ILWU to keep cargo moving across port docks and bring economic activity to our region.” The 69 Vestas wind blades featured on the tour measure 74 meters (242 feet) in length. Fifty-four more blades are expected over the next few months and all of the blades will be transported by truck to a wind project in Oregon. After a brief rain shower, the Governor and port staff walked around the Vestas blades and met briefly with two of the port’s Liebherr crane mechanics, where he learned about the intricacies of unloading the delicate but large blades from cargo ships. “I am so delighted to come to the Port of Vancouver today to see these wind blades,” said Governor Inslee. “It’s good to meet the skilled men and women at the port, who are the heart, blood, soul and backbone of the clean energy economy that we are building in the state of Washington. The port is on the cutting edge of creating good paying jobs for a clean energy future.” The Port of Vancouver USA has long been a leader in the port industry in supporting renewable energy projects and in 2020, nearly 3,000 wind turbines crossed port docks, the most of any West Coast port and enough to power 112,000 homes. To learn more about the port’s facilities and operations, visit https://www.portvanusa. com/.

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ASSOCIATION UPDATES Clean Rivers Cooperative Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee Maritime Fire and Safety Association Maritime Commerce Club

In 2020, the MFSA was scheduled to hold a multihazard worst-case exercise including fire and oil response on March 17th. After over two years of planning, everything was ready -- the location booked, travel plans were in place for contractors, catering was set… the works. Then, on March 12th the country basically shut down. No drill. Rather than repeating the exercise, Washington State Department of Ecology suggested holding an alternate event to receive credit. After some discussion, it was decided to hold a regional workshop on non-floating oil spills. Our regional understanding of risks associated with non-floating oil spills has grown since the Kalamazoo River Oil Spill 2010. Over the past several years we have updated the Northwest Area Contingency Plan (NWACP), federal and state regulations, and

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MARITIME FIRE AND SAFETY ASSOCIATION

our Geographic Response plans to address risks to sensitive natural, cultural, and economic resources. Incorporating local knowledge into the response and establishing partnerships is key to our success.

The focus of the topic was aimed at regional responders, contingency plan holders, State and Federal Agencies, Tribes, Spill management teams, as well as interested public. Over 250 people registered for the virtual event. 22

Topics covered range from basics on the chemical properties of various crude oils transported in the region, to special safety concerns to tactical considerations for the use of response equipment. Speakers included experts in the field of response and federal, state and local agencies. The two-day event concluded with a facilitated tabletop where members of Unified Command worked through issues related to a scenario involving a spill of non-floating oil. One of the biggest challenges was bringing together different presenters from across the country and stitching together a seamless production. We’ve all been part of on-line meetings or events enough to know what can go wrong. MFSA contracted with a local company, Picture This Production Services, to handle the technological aspects of this virtual recording at their studio. WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

Presenters included: • • • • •

•

• • • •

BNSF Railway Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management CTEH Environmental Consultant Induced Polarization Associates Maritime Fire and Safety Association National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Response and Restoration Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Owens Corning Research Planning, Inc. US Coast Guard, Sector Columbia River

• •

• • •

US Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 US Environmental Protection Agency, Emergency Response Team Washington State Department of Ecology Weston Solutions Whitewater Rescue Institute

Recordings of the workshop sessions are available on the MFSA website at https://mfsa.com/nfo-workshop-2021/

Thank You to all the presenters and attendees.

For more information, please visit our website: www.mfsa.com Holly Robinson, General Manager: robinson@pdxmex.com Mason Sullivan, Administrative Coordinator: sullivan@pdxmex.com THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

LEAN RIVERS COOPERATIVE

CLEAN RIVERS COOPERATIVE HOSTS CONTRACTOR TRAINING The waterways of Oregon and Washington are some of the Northwest's most valuable resources, and their protection is essential. It is our goal to protect our waterways; their continued health enhances the communities where we live and work. Clean Rivers Cooperative (Clean Rivers) was created to be an efficient and rapid respond to marine oil spills. Clean Rivers not only provides response services but we also provide regular training and education to our members. Regular training on the River with equipment and personnel is critical to ensuring an efficient and comprehensive response in the event of an incident.

Response Vessel) is equipped with skimming capabilities which removes oil from the water. Specifically designed to corral, skim and store or transfer product, the MFSA 1 and those similar to it are staged strategically throughout the region. This provides Clean Rivers with versatile tools to respond to a number of potential incidents effectively. Ongoing training, such as our Contractor Training program, are a part of our broad range of programs that work together to ensure we continue to be ready to respond to any incident that may occur.

Our monthly Contractor Training program helps meet that need. Contractor personnel are trained on local Geographic Response Plans (GRPs), given the opportunity to become familiar with specific response equipment, and brought together for team-building activities. Our most recent Contractor Training was held on June 15th on the MFSA 1. This OSRV (Oil Spill

For more information, please visit our website: www.cleanriverscooperative.com Curtis Cannizzaro, General Manager: cannizzaro@pdxmex.com Carl Boelter, Operations Manager: boelter@pdxmex.com Mason Sullivan, Administrative Coordinator: sullivan@pdxmex.com 24

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LOWER COLUMBIA REGION HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE

Save The Date - We’re back in-person! September 1, 2021 We are excited to announce the September 1, meeting of the Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee will take place in person. Hosted by

Columbia River Maritime Museum at the Barbey Center, Astoria Meeting Times: Board: 1000-1030hrs General Membership: 1030-1200hrs To register to attend the General Membership meeting, please sign up here: September 1 : Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee Meeting

We hope to see you there! WWW.LCRHSC.ORG

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