News Release
| Release Number: | 07-110 |
| Dated: | 9/6/2007 |
| Contact: | Diana J. Fredlund, 503-808-4510 |
********** MEDIA ADVISORY **********
Event celebrating completion of interim repairs scheduled Sept. 14 at South Jetty
PORTLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hosting an event to celebrate completing the interim repair activities at the South Jetty near Astoria, Ore. The three-year project to complete interim repairs to the North and South jetties has been completed, with Kiewit Pacific, the contractor for the repairs on the South Jetty, finishing the job nearly 60 days early.
September 14, 2007
10:30 a.m.
Mouth of the Columbia River South Jetty
Fort Stevens State Park
Parking Lot “C”
Prior to the event, Col. Thomas O’Donovan, Portland District Commander, and project staff members will be available for interviews beginning at 10 a.m. at the event site, or after the event.
Oregon and Washington Congressional delegations have been invited. The event will include remarks from our Congressional guests and others. An agenda is included at the end of this advisory.
Please contact the Portland District Public Affairs Office by Sept. 12 at (503) 808-4510 to confirm your attendance.
The Corps of Engineers performed the interim repairs to fix damage from waves and storms to the North and South jetties. The jetties protect the federal navigation channel that serves ships navigating the mouth of the Columbia River. These interim repairs have stabilized the most severely damaged portions of the jetties until a major rehabilitation project begins.
The Corps has helped improve navigation at the mouth of the river since the 1870s. Early work included detailed surveys of the river bar and construction of jetties. Jetties not only accelerate the flow of the river, helping maintain the depth and orientation of the navigation channel, they also provide protection for ships of all sizes (both commercial and recreational) entering and leaving the estuary.
To reach the South Jetty:
From Astoria follow Highway 101 South across the Youngs Bay Bridge
Follow the signs to Warrenton and Ft. Stevens State Park
Continue to Hammond and Ft. Stevens State Park; turn left at the end of the road
Continue for about 0.8 mile until you see the first entrance to Ft. Stevens State Park
Turn right into the park.
Continue straight for approximately 4 miles until you see a brown sign that identifies Parking Lot C and South Jetty
Turn left and follow the road into the parking lot
Sept. 14, 2007 Speakers’ Agenda
(Please note this agenda is subject to change based on availability of guest speakers)
Welcome remarks:
Col. Thomas O’Donovan, Portland District Commander
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Speakers:
Rep. David Wu
First Congressional District, Oregon
Other Congressional Guest Speakers (if available)
Mr. Glenn Vaslow, Executive Director
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
Mr. Larry Paulson, Executive Director
Port of Vancouver
Mr. Gary Lewin, President
Columbia River Bar Pilots
Mr.Cager Clabaugh
President, AFL-CIO of Clark, Skamania & West Klickitat
Vice President, ILWU Local 4