Page 36: of Marine News Magazine (September 2022)

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Feature

Inland Waterways issues, Columbia-Snake River operators face the “regular” particularly with timely permitting, as a top issue. She said array of day-to-day challenges. that despite statutory, 135-day deadlines for inter-agency “The labor shortage is an ongoing concern and top consultations, Northwest port projects “routinely wait one priority for our members,” Peter Schrappen commented, to three years for permits and some even longer.” citing both recruitment and retention. Demand for river Stebbings said that recent NOAA programmatic chang- transport is increasing. New people are needed – not just es with maintenance projects has led to a backlog – over replacements. 100 projects – in the Puget Sound region. NOAA expects

Supply chain issues continue. Schrappen said engine it will take two years to work through that backlog, Steb- components and maritime paints are hard to get, as are bings said, calling it a very problematic delay for ports buoys and navigational aids. These west coast challenges whose permits have been “on hold for up to four years.” could drive traf? c to east coast ports. Stebbings predicts these Puget Sound tie-ups present na-

Regarding infrastructure, Schrappen highlighted the tional implications because, she explains, the Army Corps following: has adopted NOAA’s mitigation cost and maintenance • Planned dredging for the Columbia and Snake main policies which the Corps will apply nationwide. Right and side channels and turning basins. “This is welcome now, she says it is “unclear how the agencies will develop news,” Schrappen commented. tools to apply this policy and if they will implement mora- • The Columbia River bridge project is key and deck toriums in other regions during the development process.” height for vessel clearance is a critical decision. Schrap- In an interview separate from his Board comments, pen is pleased that the CG seeks a height of 178 feet. Rob Rich, with Shaver, said high fuel prices are impacting • Also positive is $146 million in system maintenance northwest operators. He said fuel prices have nearly tripled funding from the recent Infrastructure act. since 2020. And the focus on decarbonizing transporta-

PNWA’s Heather Stebbings cited regulatory challenges, tion is particularly challenging, Tugs are an investment

Two towboats passing each other on the

Columbia River.

Tidewater 36 | MN September 2022