Read first time 01/28/2004.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Trade.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Large areas of not only the interior of Washington State but of all northern tier and many Midwest states utilize the river route provided by the Columbia and Snake Rivers to transport commodities and goods by ship and barge; and
     WHEREAS, Water-borne transportation is the most efficient use of fossil fuels per ton-mile for shipment of bulk commodities and goods; and
     WHEREAS, This waterway's inland terminus at Lewiston, Idaho is located more than four hundred miles upriver from the Pacific Ocean; and
     WHEREAS, The hauling capacity of a fully loaded barge tow is equivalent to over five hundred thirty trucks, thereby relieving the roads of congestion and reduces the need for additional highway construction and costly maintenance; and
     WHEREAS, Because sediments in the Snake River segment of this navigation system and its accompanying berthing areas continue to build up, barges are no longer able to be fully loaded, resulting in higher use of fossil fuels, higher expense to shippers, more road congestion and wear, and a decrease in the competitiveness of our farms and our country's economy; and
     WHEREAS, Salmon runs have increased significantly in recent years, and have allowed for increased harvest by commercial, sports, and tribal fishers; and
     WHEREAS, Plans to maintain this essential waterway have been stymied by fear of lawsuits despite approval of the strategy by the National Marine Fisheries Service;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the federal government take all necessary actions to ensure that the United States Army Corps of Engineers will expeditiously implement the proposal for a one-time dredging during the winter of 2004-05, to maintain the navigation channel and loading docks on the lower Snake River to ensure that the use of barges is maintained and that they can again be fully loaded.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.