US Army Corps of Engineers officials recently met with Port of
Newport Commissioners and staff to discuss the upcoming operations
and maintenance schedule, budget, and Yaquina Bay project
conditions. The Corps team included Robert Leitch, Chief, Waterways
Maintenance; Sheryl Carrubba, Operations Manager for Channels and
Harbors; John Craig, Operations Division Manager; and Jennifer
Sowell, Public Affairs Specialist.
The Corps monitoring survey for 2006 of the Yaquina north jetty
reports there is concern at the toe of the bullnose or cap at the
end of the jetty that was constructed in 2001. After this
construction was completed, the north jetty has remained 348 feet
shorter than its authorized length, as a total of approximately 450
feet had been lost to driving ocean forces. Several toe stones have
been dislodged since the 2001 construction; however, the upper slope
appears stable. The South Jetty structurally showed no areas of
concern. The report concluded that both north and south jetties are
in good condition and recommends they be field inspected again this
July.
Also discussed was the erosion occurring along the west bank and
approach walkway leading to the South Beach Fishing Pier. Craig said
he would ask their jetty team to take a look at the area when they
conduct this year’s inspection. This problem apparently is due to
the failure of the south jetty groins located just west of the
bridge. The Section 107 Continuing Authorities Program that would
apply to the repair of these features has not been funded in a
number of years.
Port officials were informed that the dredge Yaquina is
expected in Yaquina Bay at the end of July for 14 days but they
wouldn’t be able to get the entrance channel down to project depths
in the time allotted. This year the Port received a $1.56 million
appropriation for maintenance dredging compared to last year’s low
of $906,000. The Port heard that the Corps is considering giving
more economic weight to fish landings in justifying maintenance
funding at low-use ports.
Sheryl Carruba remarked, "The administration still measures
high-use commercial ports at one million tons of cargo for a return
on their investment, but other states besides Oregon want more
emphasis placed on commercial fish landing data. Until now fish
landings in port reporting was anecdotal. Even though one million is
the threshold for high-use commercial ports, Newport, with its high
commercial fish landings, has been able to stay within the funding
window of high-use commercial ports. An accredited source that
documents this data nationwide is important so projects from New
England to the Oregon coast feel they are on a level playing field."
The Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program Development Guidance
for Fiscal Year 2008, Engineer Circular (EC) 11-2-187, recognizes
commercial fishery outputs for low-use navigation channels as an
indicator for navigation needs funding. Carrubba stated in a phone
conversation on Monday that, "This doesn’t appear to have changed in
any significant way in the next fiscal year EC." The 2009 EC won’t
be available to the public until May 11. The Port has advocated that
fish landings be included as funding criteria for more than ten
years.
"The Port of Newport is a deep draft harbor and hasn’t had any
waterborne commerce for the past several years, so this is indeed
welcome news," said Port Commissioner Ginny Goblirsch. "Newport’s
commercial fleet, recreational boating community, and research
vessels all benefit from federal investment in harbor maintenance."
Commissioners updated Corps officials on the Port’s marine
terminal redevelopment project for a mixed-use facility that will
accommodate ships, barges, larger vessels in the distant water and
local fleets, research vessels, and possibly cruise ships.
Commissioner Fisher pointed out that, "The community’s support of
the $15.4 million bond measure and the Oregon Department of
Transportation Connect Oregon grant for $2.77 million gives the Port
the opportunity to begin a marketing strategy for the facility for
cargo movement again as well as continue to service our commercial
fleet."
"This annual coordination meeting is integral to keeping lines of
communication open between the Port and the Corps, from DC, to
Portland, to the local level," said Mann. "This close working
relationship with the Portland District along with the Port’s
ongoing efforts of keeping our congressional delegation advised of
Port project status is vital to maintaining a safe harbor for all
mariners in Yaquina Bay."
