Murray Recognized for Her Work for Port of Chinook

Senator Murray received the Columbia River Crab Fishermen's Black Hat Award. Murray was recognized for her success in getting the Port of Chinook dredged. The project began last September and directly saved 40 jobs, along with another 350 jobs that rely on the Port of Chinook’s stores, campgrounds, restaurants, and boat repair shops.



Pictured from left to right are Dale Beasley, President Columbia River Crab Fisherman who presented the award, Senator Murray, Les Clark, Port of Chinook Commissioner and Dan Todd, Port of Chinook. Murray's Remarks

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Touring the Flood Damaged Regions

Senator Murray tours the flood damage in Western Washington with Secretary Peters and Governor Gregoire. 

Murray is working to provide federal funding for the families, businesses and infrastructure damaged by the January 2009 storms.

 

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Highlighting the Success of Head Start

Senator Murray enjoys a visit to a Head Start center in Vancouver.

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Helping the Habitat of Willapa Bay

Senator Murray discusses the importance of oyster farming in Willapa Bay on a recent visit to the Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Senator Murray has secured more then $4 million in funding to combat the harmful Spartina scourge which has threatened oyster farming and the overall habitat of the area. Senator Murray toured the refuge on an Airboat, and witnessed first hand how the federal funding was helping to eradicate the invasive marsh grass.

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Reducing Congestion at the Port of Vancouver

Senator Murray helps to break ground on the first part of the Port of Vancouver's freight access project. Senator Murray helped to secure $3.3 million for this critical project that will bring new rail access to the port and enhance the port’s internal rail system. Recently, she included an additional $2 million in a Senate spending bill for this project.

Pictured from left to right:

• Jim Toomey, Executive Director, Port of Pasco and Representative of the WA State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board,


• Terry Finn, NW Region Government Affairs Director for BNSF


• Larry Paulson, Executive Director Port of Vancouver


• Nancy Baker, Port Commissioner


• Senator Murray


• Arch Miller, Port Commissioner


• Royce Pollard, Mayor of America’s Vancouver


• Cager Clabaugh, President, ILWU #4


• Brian Wolf, Port Commissioner

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Columbia River Channel Deepening Project

Royce Pollard, mayor of America's Vancouver, welcomes Senator Murray to the celebration at Frenchman's Bar Park on the banks of the Columbia River.




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Washington's Ports

Senator Murray meets with officials at the Port of Ridgefield. Pictured at right: Brent Grening, Director, Port of Ridgefield. (01/15/02)

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Improving Transportation in Cowlitz County

Senator Murray presents a check to Cowlitz County for the Lexington Bridge that will cross the Cowlitz River between I-5 at milepost 42 and the Sparks Drive/SR 411 intersection in the Lexington area north of Kelso and Longview.




The Bridge will:

• disperse urban area commuter traffic and promote re-development of downtown and west Kelso,



• enable area residents in Lexington to directly access I-5, removing traffic which currently winds its way through residential areas to gain access to the freeway,



• and allow for congestion relief for the SR 4 and Allen Street Bridges in Kelso.

Senator Murray secured $6 million in FY'03 and $1.5 million in FY'04 for the project.




Pictured from L to R: Rep. Brian Blake, (D), 19th Dist. Kent Cash, Cowlitz County, Assistant Director of Public Works / County Engineer Rep. Ed Orcutt, (R), 18th Dist. U.S. Senator Patty Murray George Raiter, Cowlitz County, Commissioner, (D), Chairman Sen. Mark Doumit, (D), 19th Dist. Ken Stone, Cowlitz County, Director of Public Works Bill Lehning, Cowlitz County, Commissioner, (D)

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Protecting the Columbia River Estuary

Senator Murray receives a briefing by Tammy Sanders, Director of Education of the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, on the Lacamas Creek project in Camas, Washington. This project will aid the recovery of Washougal area chum (listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act) by improving egg-to-fry survival with construction of a spawning channel in lower Lacamas Creek. The project will provide chum salmon returning to Lacamas Creek with a protected spawning and incubation environment.




The LCREP receives funding through the EPA’s National Estuary Program. Senator Murray has worked for years to ensure the program is fully funded. LCREP implements a comprehensive management plan for the 146 miles of the lower Columbia River and estuary. They work with 28 cities, 9 counties and two states. The three categories LCREP focuses on are: ground improvements for habitat and land use, reduction of toxic and conventional pollutants, and heightened education, information and government coordination.

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Working to Fund the Columbia River Improvement Project

Senator Murray holds up a budget sheet that shows the President's budget provided zero dollars for the Columbia River Channel Improvement (Dredging) project during a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development on the fiscal year 2005 budget for the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. Although all the necessary studies and Chief of Engineers Report on the project are complete, the administration denied the Corps of Engineers request for funding for this project.



Senator Murray has made channel deepening one of her highest priorities because of its enormous impact for job creation and economic competitiveness and will continue to push for the funding this project needs and deserves. News Release

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Celebrating the Channel Deepening Project with Rep. Baird and Sen. Smith

Senator Murray, Rep. Brian Baird and Sen. Gordon Smith cut a cake to celebrate the start of construction on the Channel Deepening project.




"For many years, I can remember fighting on the Energy and Water Committee to set aside money for the channel without the support of the Administration. It wasn’t easy, but with your help, I did it all five years. And I would like to thank Senator Smith for helping to bring the Administration around to this project."




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Celebrating the Channel Deepening Project with Diane Perry and Laura Hicks

Senator Murray talks with Diane Perry, Channel Deepening Project, and Laura Hicks, Army Corps of Engineers.




"According to the Army Corps of Engineers, there is a 20 percent chance of a jetty failing this year. Next year, the odds of failure double to 40 percent. And the year after that, they soar to 60 percent. That is a chance no one us can afford to take. Our investment in the channel will be lost if a jetty breaks, and the mouth of the river is closed. You’re working on it, and I am too. We’ve got to convince the Administration to support us. In the meantime, I worked to secure $17 million in the Senate for jetty repair."




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Listening to Educators and Parents on the No Child Left Behind Act

Senator Murray meets with community leaders in Vancouver to hear about what's working - and what's not - with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The law is up for renewal in 2007, so Senator Murray is gathering ideas first-hand from people around the state. She also held NCLB listening sessions in Yakima and Skagit County.




"As a member of the Senate education committee, I will be at the table pushing for the changes that our students and schools need. I want you to have a voice in that debate, and I need your help. I need your stories, examples and ideas, so I can persuade the Senate to make real improvements to public education."




Share your comments on the No Child Left Behind Act




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Senator Murray meets with the Chehalis Tribe.

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Sen. Murray Visits Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

Murray shown with Charlie Stenvahl, Manager of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, secured $1 million in FY 2003 to fight an infestation of Spartina grass throughout Willapa Bay. (04/25/03)

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Cleaning Up Polluted Water

The Port of Ridgefield is trying to clean up land once leased to the Pacific Wood Treating Corporation. The company went bankrupt in 1993, leaving behind 30 years worth of soil and groudwater contamination. Senator Murray secured $1 million to help the Port clean up a 2-4 acre underground plume of contaminated water which is moving toward Carty Lake and Lake River. (01/15/02)

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Columbia River Channel Deepening Project - Lanny Cawley

Senator Murray speaks with Lanny Cawley, Port of Kalama Executive Director.




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Meeting with Educators and Parents in Southwest WA about NCLB

Senator Murray meets with education leaders and parents from Southwest Washington at a roundtable in Vancouver to discuss updating the No Child Left Behind Act. The roundtable was hosted by Educational Service District 112, which covers more than 100,000 students at 200 schools in Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat and Pacific Counties.




Pictured from left to right are:




Doug Goodlett (Vancouver School District), Twyla Barnes (ESD #112), Tanis Knight (Camas School District), Senator Murray, Glenys Hill (Kelso School District), John Deeder (Evergreen School District), Deb Stavig (parent and school board member), and Vicki Prendergast (Whitson Elementary in White Salmon).




Share your comments on the No Child Left Behind Act




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Murray Named "Honorary Friend"

Senator Murray is presented with a plaque by Bev Arnoldy, President of The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, for her work on behalf of the Refuge. Murray was made an “Honorary Friend” of the Willapa Wildlife Refuge.

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Touring the Lexington Bridge Site

Senator Murray discusses the progress of the Lexington Bridge project with State Senator Mark Doumit (D-19th). Senator Murray joined Cowlitz County officials in touring the site and was briefed on expected benefits to the local community. Senator Murray secured $7.5 million in federal funding for the project in 2003 and 2004.

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Discussing Efforts to Secure Funding for Columbia River Jetty Repair

Senator Muray discusses her efforts to provide federal funding for jetty repair along the Columbia River at Cape Disappointment State Park. The funding that Senator Murray has secured is providing temporary repairs to the jetties that safeguard the navigability of the river.

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SW Washington – Economic Growth and Traffic Relief

With leaders at the Port of Vancouver, Senator Murray announced $2.3 million she secured for the Port of Vancouver’s Freight Access project. The project will help the Port handle an expected surge in cargo, will reduce traffic congestion in downtown Vancouver and neighboring communities, and will support new jobs and economic development at the Port. Senator Murray’s funding will help complete an environmental impact statement. Last year, Senator Murray secured $1 million for the project.




Pictured above from left to right: Port of Vancouver Commissioner Nancy Baker; Port of Vancouver Executive Director, Larry Paulson; US Senator Patty Murray; City of Vancouver Mayor, Royce Pollard; President of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, John McKibbins; BNSF Vice President of Government Affairs, Skip Endres; Cager Clabaugh, Vice President, ILWU Local 4)




Details | Senator Murray's Remarks

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Columbia River Channel Deepening Coalition

Senator Murray with leaders of the Columbia River Channel Deepening Coalition.




Murray congratulated the diverse coalition that came together to push for improving the channel.




"If you hadn’t built the consensus, if you hadn’t formed a broad coalition, and if you hadn’t kept at it, we wouldn’t be here celebrating today. Your work here is a model of how we can come together to solve problems, not only here in Southwest Washington, but throughout the state."




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Improving Transportation in Southwest Washington

Senator Murray convened a rare Senate field hearing to examine Southwest Washington & Portland Metropolitan regional transportation issues, including the I-5 bridge, regional congestion relief and river traffic. The hearing included four panels to discuss the challenges and solutions to improving congestion and getting goods and services to market.



As the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Murray chose Southwest Washington for the field hearing because of the concerns about the ability of the region’s infrastructure to support current and future growth. “Good jobs and continued economic development depend upon having the transportation infrastructure to sustain the region’s growth. This field hearing will be an opportunity to hear from local and national leaders on how to accomplish our transportation goals.” Murray's Full Statement

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Celebrating the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project

Senator Murray today joined more than 150 leaders in Southwest Washington to celebrate the start of dredging on the Columbia River channel deepening project.




"We all know that the Columbia River is the economic engine of the entire region, and we’re making that engine even stronger and more powerful," Murray told the audience. "A deeper channel means more trade, more jobs, and more opportunity, and that’s something we can all celebrate."




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Celebrating the Channel Deepening Project with Bruce Wiseman

Senator Murray chats with Bruce Wiseman, a Port of Ridgefield commissioner.




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Celebrating the Channel Deepening Project with John Fratt

Senator Murray congratulates John Fratt, Port of Vancouver (retired).




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Helping Local Law Enforcement in Southwest Washington

At a Senate hearing today, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales committed to working with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to help station more federal agents in Southwest Washington to help cut down on smuggling and drug trafficking.




"In Southwest Washington, local law enforcement officials need better access to their federal counterparts, and I'm pleased that Attorney General Gonzales has agreed to work with me to help reduce crime in Southwest Washington," Senator Murray said.





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Coast Guard's New 85' Fast Patrol Boat

Sen. Murray celebrates the launching of the Coast Guard's new 85' Fast Patrol Boat.

With top speeds of up to 45 knots, it's the fastest boat of its size in the Coast Guard inventory. It can outrun drug smugglers and support homeland security.

Sen. Murray secured $4.65 million in last year's Transportation Appropriations bill to make the launch possible.

(Pictured)The boat awaits final assembly the week before the launching. The hull was built in Tacoma and was outfitted in Vancouver. (08/30/02)

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Meeting with Housing Leader Christina Pegg

Senator Murray meets with many housing leaders from across WA state who came to Washington, D.C. to advocate for higher housing budgets and better federal policies.



Christina Pegg (Executive Director of the Longview Housing Authority) explained why 30 housing leaders from Washington state traveled to the U.S. Capitol to meet with elected officials: "We are here advocating for housing; decent, safe, and sanitary housing for every American in the United States. There are far too many Americans that are homeless, every night in the street, and it's not right."

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Celebrating the Channel Deepening Project with Larry Paulson, Mary Olson and Rep. Baird

Senator Murray talks with (L-R) Larry Paulson (Port of Vancouver USA), Mary Olson (Port of Portland) and Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver).




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