Director Michael McElwee and Sherry Bohn, the commission’s chairwoman, are attending the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association annual “Mission to Washington” conference. Part of their visit involves talking with Oregon’s congressmen about a $300,000 legislative request.

“It’s a significant, albeit dynamic situation,” said McElwee. “We need to quantify and understand it.”

The delta arrived when weather storms pounded Hood River County Nov. 5-8. The wettest November on record resulted in waves of trees, boulders, rock, and sand sluicing off Mount Hood and along the Hood River.

The morning after the storm on Nov. 9, it was obvious that a new slice of land had formed at the confluence of the Hood and Columbia rivers. McElwee went on a flyover with Port Commissioner Hoby Streich, also a private pilot, and estimated the land mass at an initial 30 acres.

Four months later, the port knows the site is 26 acres and is here to stay. Initially, the question was pondered as to whether fluctuating levels in the Bonneville Pool would wash the sand away. That has not happened.

The delta’s impact on the Hood River waterfront has filled in the marina beach, created a giant area where the kiteboarding Spit existed before, and filled in the eastern third of the Event Site. The delta extends to the north almost into the commercial shipping channel of the Columbia River.

The legislative request is the latest in a string of efforts by the Port to be proactive in approaching how to deal with the delta and its impacts. After first considering applying for federal disaster relief, the port decided not to apply because it did not meet the parameters to qualify for such funding.

While Federal Emergency Management Agency officials came through and looked at the area on two separate site visits, the only damages to the port were the blocking in of the cruise ship dock. FEMA does not cover dredging, which would have been the only solution to clearing the sand.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bears responsibility for keeping channels clear including the path to the Nichols Boat Basin. But the agency said it had neither money nor staff resources to put toward the proposal due to its budget being held up under a continuing resolution by the federal government.

In the meantime, the port contracted to do two separate studies of the delta simply to find out how large and deep it is. It also began working with the community through its waterfront recreation committee to find solutions for the effect the new area will have on users this spring and summer.

In November, the port as well as city and county met with Hal Hiemstra and Dan James of Ball Janik LLP. The two lobbyists advised that the best chance for getting the government to fund a study lies in the Continuing Authorities Section 206.

The proposal specifically outlines that the project “would restore and enhance natural systems in the Hood River Basin, from the confluence … providing a more natural drainage system that would support a diversity of aquatic habitats and function similar to the historic headwaters system, and addressing issues such as erosion and sedimentation downstream.”

The port faces some competition in asking for monies as multiple requests from ports across the Northwest are part of the PNWA’s pitch for 2008 Energy and Water appropriations.

The Delta timeline

Nov. 5-8 — Hood River County floods, high water and landslides sluices rocks, dirt, and trees off Mount Hood and along the Hood River.

Nov. 9 — The delta forms at the confluence of the Hood and Columbia Rivers. Initially thought to be 30 or more acres in size.

Nov. 10 — Port of Hood River Commissioner Hoby Streich, also a private pilot, takes Port Director Michael McElwee up on a flight for aerial look at new land.

Nov. 27 — Waterfront recreation committee meets, holds initial discussion on potential impacts.

Nov. 28 — Federal Emergency Management Agency and state officials tour damages including delta site.

Nov. 31 — Hood River County records wettest month on record.

Dec. 6 — Port of Hood River retains Andrew Jansky P.E., of Flowing Solutions Inc., to help staff identify options to consider dealing with changes at the mouth of the Hood River.

Dec. 12 — County, port and city officials meet with legislative lobbyists from Ball Janik Inc., about funding priorities.

Dec. 19 — Port contracts with Terra Surveying Inc., for $17,000 to provide aerial map and survey of waterfront.

Jan. 12 — Oregon’s Department of State Lands claims ownership of approximately two-thirds of the northern portion of the delta.

Feb. 13 — Sixty people attend port’s waterfront committee session on the delta and impacts to recreation this season, recreational user groups working on share-solutions for mid-March meeting. Jansky reports the actual size of the delta measures 26 acres.

Feb. 20 — Port contracts with Northwest Hydro Inc. for $5,120 to survey the underwater portion of the delta.

What’s next — At the mid-March meeting, the port will present the aerial and underwater studies combined along with anticipated pool levels for the summer. Recreation groups will bring their ideas for how to share the areas this summer.

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