Kalama Facility EIS Released

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Kalama Manufacturing & Marine Export Facility project at the Port of Kalama is now available for review.

The project by Northwest Innovation Works, LLC-Kalama seeks to create and run a natural gas-to-methanol production plant and storage facility at the port. A new marine terminal, a gas pipeline lateral, electrical upgrades and a methanol plant would be located on a 90-acre site adjacent to Tradewinds Road.

The project is currently following the State Environmental Policy Act process. The evaluation will provide a comprehensive review of any potential environmental impacts that need to be identified and addressed before acting on any permits or approvals.

Visit www.kalamamfgfacilitysepa.com for more information.

Kalama Invites Public Comment

By Karen Robes Meeks

The public is invited to weigh in on a draft supplemental study that looks at the environmental impacts of the proposed Kalama Methanol Plant.

A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 13 to comment on the project, which involves Northwest Innovation Works, LLC’s proposed natural gas to methanol production plant and storage facility. The draft study includes “a quantitative analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to the proposed project on a life-cycle basis,” according the Port of Kalama.

The hearing will take place at the Cowlitz County Event Center, 1900 7th Avenue in Longview, Wash, from 6 to 9 pm.

Can’t make it to the meeting? Submit comments to SEIS@KalamaMFGFacilitySEPA.com or mail them to Ann Farr / SEPA Responsible Official, 110 W Marine Drive, Kalama WA 98625. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 28.

For more, visit https://kalamamfgfacilitysepa.com/.

Kalama Adding Tenants

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Kalama, Washington will soon welcome Bridger Steel and Marco Industries to its port.

Both businesses are moving into the Kalama River Industrial Park Building.

Bridger Steel, a manufacturer of panel systems that is used for roofing, siding and interior applications, is the first tenant the port secured for its new 110,000-square-foot industrial facility.

Bridger Steel is leasing 30,000-square feet of space for office and warehouse use, as well as 10,000-square feet of sheltered area for truck loading at Kalama River Industrial Park.

A grand opening event to welcome both businesses will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 at 2550 Hendrickson Drive, Kalama River Industrial Park Building 7418.

Kalama Methanol Permits Reinstated

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Shorelines Permits for the Kalama Manufacturing and Marine Export Facility (KMMEF) methanol production plant has been reinstated by a judge, a move that clarifies what needs to be studied in the supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS), according to the Port of Kalama.

Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge James Warning made the reinstatement, allowing the port to focus on revising the Greenhouse gas (GHG) impact analysis while keeping in place the rest of the EIS pending the GHG review.

“We’re pleased the Shorelines Permits are reinstated—this important decision appropriately narrows and focuses the Shoreline Board’s EIS remand order, consistent with what the law requires,” said Port Executive Director Mark Wilson. “Ambiguity about what the law requires, related to greenhouse gas emissions, has been a challenge.”

Northwest Innovations Works, LLC wants to develop and run a natural gas-to-methanol production plant and storage facility on about 90 acres at the port. The project would feature a methanol plant, a gas pipeline lateral, and a new marine terminal.

Natural Gas Facility for Kalama

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Kalama is asking the public to weigh in on an environmental document for a project being proposed by Northwest Innovations Works, LLC., The company is proposing to develop and run a natural gas-to-methanol production plant and storage facility at the port.

Stakeholders can provide comment until March 1 on the scope of the project’s Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS), which will provide additional analysis and potential suggestions to curb greenhouse gas emissions for the project.

The project encompasses the construction of a methanol plant, a gas pipeline lateral, and a new marine terminal.

Submit written comments to Ann Farr, Port of Kalama, 110 W. Marine Drive, Kalama, WA 98625 or email SEIS@KalamaMfgFacilitySEPA.com. Visit www.KalamaMfgFacilitySEPA.com for more details.

Kalama Adding Beer and Rooms

By Karen Robes Meeks

A McMenamins brewpub and hotel project at the Port of Kalama is on schedule to open in March 2018.

Construction of the building’s full height and most of the interior walls are completed, the rough interior construction is nearly done, as well as plumbing and electric work.

McMenamins will begin the finish work by including local historic details to the restaurant and hotel. When completed, McMenamins will feature 40 hotel rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop pub. It will complement the Ahles Point Small Bar currently under construction by local builder Mountain Log Homes south of the parks.

“We expect the entire McMenamins Project to be completed in the spring,” said Eric Yakovich, Port Economic Development Manager. “We look forward to enjoying all the amenities McMenamins has to offer as a new member of our community.”

First Tenant for Kalama Facility

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Kalama has secured its first tenant for its new 110,000-square-foot industrial facility. The port has inked a lease with Bridger Steel to occupy 30,000-square feet of space for office and warehouse use, as well as 10,000-square feet of sheltered area for truck loading at Kalama River Industrial Park. Officials plan to break ground in December.

Bridger Steel, whose Kalama facility is expected to open summer 2018, is a manufacturer of panel systems that is used for roofing, siding and interior applications.

“The Port of Kalama is the ideal location for us to expand our business facilities and better serve our customers in the Pacific Northwest,” said Bridger Steel Inc. National Sales and Marketing Director Steve Collins. “Kalama’s location and proximity to I-5 will enable us to serve a very large area of the Pacific Northwest very quickly.”

Port of Kalama Develops Recreational Areas

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Kalama has begun a series of construction and renovation projects aimed at improving the experience at riverfront recreational areas.

The project list includes:

• Replenishment of new sand on the beaches near Ahles Point

• Installation of new asphalt on Hendrickson Drive under the Oak Street overpass at exit 30, as well as the north end of the marina to the south end of Ahles Point

• Removal of rock berms between Marine Park and the railroad

• Addition of stormwater rain gardens and 117 new parking spaces as part of the Hendrickson Drive project

• Extension of the sanitary sewer line from Ahles Point to the restrooms at Louis Rasmussen Park

“It’s that time of year we need to act on outdoor renovation and improvement projects for the facilities we enjoy here,” said port marketing manager Liz Newman. “All of these projects are part of the port’s effort to maintain and improve port recreational facilities for visitors.”

Kalama Methanol Permits Approved

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Kalama has secured two key permit approvals from the Washington Department of Ecology that would allow for the construction of a proposed facility for manufacturing and exporting methanol.

The state department recently approved a conditional use permit and granted water quality certification for the project, which would be built on about 100 acres of industrial property at the north end of the port’s marine industrial park.

The methanol plant and marine terminal project is allowable under the state’s Shoreline Management Act and Cowlitz County’s shoreline master program as long as it meets environmental protection standards, according to the state.

The facility is expected to produce up to one million metric tons of greenhouse gases a year to make methanol from natural gas. Under the conditional use permit, the port and Northwest Innovation Works will need to lessen greenhouse gas emissions that come from the methanol plant by 1.7 percent annually from the first year it is fully operational until emissions level off in 2035.The port says most of emissions associated with the condition are outside shoreline jurisdiction and added that the project would significantly lower GHG emissions by using Ultra-Low-Emission gas methanol instead of coal methanol.

The permit also requires putting in place on-site dredge disposal standards to protect water quality since the plant would be built near the Columbia River, though the methanol plant would have a system that recycles manufacturing process water to avoid discharges to the nearby river.

These permits are part of several more the port will need in order to construct the facility.

The marine terminal – which would be built, owned and operated by the Port of Kalama – would be used mainly by Northwest Innovation Works and available to other ships for lay berth use, according to the port. It would feature a dock, berth, loading equipment, utilities and a stormwater system. Methanol vessels coming to the terminal would be able to hook up to pollution-reducing shore power.

According to the state department, the facility would be able to produce 10,000 metric tons of methanol daily from natural gas once operational.

Port of Kalama Begins Dredging Project

By Mark Edward Nero

Maintenance dredging of the Port of Kalama marina began Oct. 1 and is scheduled to run for about two months. The dredging project, which is planned to accommodate fishing season and sports enthusiasts, is scheduled to remove materials that have naturally settled in the marina.

As a result of the dredging, the guest dock at the marina will be closed from Oct. 3 to Oct. 7. However, the first actual dredging is set to begin Oct. 15 at the south end of the marina and guest dock and is expected to run for three weeks.

The project team, according to the port, will work from the south end to the north of the marina, and that is expected to affect some boat owners and guests at varying phases; signs will be posted and letters sent to inform the community of the progress. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by early December 2016.

“Maintenance of the marina basin is a routine activity to enable safe navigation,” Port of Kalama Executive Director Mark Wilson said in a statement. “The dredging activity will require some inconvenience to our boating customers while we complete the work.”

The Port of Kalama, located in Southwest Washington on the Columbia River, is about 30 minutes north of Portland, Ore.

Bulk Carrier Owner Fined for Oil Spill

By Mark Edward Nero

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Norden Shipping PTE $2,100 for allowing oil to enter the Columbia River, the ODEQ revealed May 2.

On Feb. 18, the company’s bulk carrier vessel Nord Auckland, anchored in the Columbia River near the Port of Kalama in Kalama, Washington, spilled about 13 gallons of waste oil into the Columbia River after a waste oil incinerator tank on Nord Auckland overflowed, causing waste oil to flow onto the deck of the vessel and into the Columbia River.

From Feb. 18 through Feb. 19, there was an oil sheen on the Columbia River downstream of Nord Auckland up to three quarters of a mile long.

“Spilling oil into the Columbia River is a serious violation of Oregon environmental law,” the Dept. of Environmental Quality said in a statement. “The spilling of oil or petroleum products into the river has negative environmental impacts on aquatic life and ecosystems. DEQ is concerned with the adverse impacts and cumulative effects that numerous spills of this kind have on the water quality of the Columbia River and on Oregon’s water quality in general.”

In determining the penalty amount, which is relatively small compared to what could have been imposed, the ODEQ said it took into consideration the company’s efforts to minimize the effects of the violation by deploying containment boom and absorbents to contain the spill and washing the vessel’s hull.

Bulk Carrier Spills Oil in Columbia River

By Mark Edward Nero

The bulk carrier Nord Auckland spilled roughly 80 gallons of oil in the Columbia River while anchored near the Port of Kalama on Feb. 18, the US Coast Guard and Washington Dept. of Ecology say.

According to the USCG, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received reports of sheening in the water from National Response Center personnel shortly after 10 am on the date of the incident, then about 1 pm, pollution response experts from the Incident Management Division, based at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, Oregon, arrived on scene.

Dept. of Ecology staff later participated in an overflight surveillance and observed a number of sheening trails downriver. Oil was observed near shorelines and near wildlife concentrations, however, no direct observations of oiled wildlife have been reported, according to the USCG.

The 610-foot Singapore-flagged Nord Auckland, which was built in 2010, reportedly released bunker oil due to operator error: the oil was intended to be burned in the incinerator.

The vessel’s owner contracted the spill response and prevention non-profit Clean Rivers Cooperative, which responded with crews on two booming vessels to engage in cleanup operations.

However, after performing a close inspection of the oil observed by air, the boat assessment team determined that the oil was too thin and weathered to be recovered by mechanical collection methods.

The incident is still under investigation, according to Coast Guard Sector Columbia River.

Safety Violations Lead to Bulker Detainment

By Mark Edward Nero

The US Coast Guard on April 24 detained the 738-foot bulk carrier vessel Kind Seas after significant safety violations were found during an inspection in Kalama, Washington.

According to the USCG, vessel inspectors from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Portland discovered the discrepancies during a routine inspection of the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, which was built in 1998.

The safety violations were related to a complete failure of the emergency generator, which provides power to emergency equipment including the emergency firefighting pump system. Other discrepancies include deficient structural fire boundary doors designed to prevent the spread of a fire, inoperable bilge pumps critical to removing excess water and waste oil accumulation in engine compartments and inoperable lifesaving communication equipment.

“The deficiencies were determined to pose significant risk to the vessel’s crew and the marine environment indicating that the vessel is unfit to proceed to sea,” said Capt. Patrick Ropp, commanding officer and officer in charge of marine inspection at MSU Portland.

The USCG says vessel inspectors are working with the vessel’s crew, owner, and managing company, as well as the Kind Seas’ flag state and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, the vessel’s classification society responsible for certificating vessel construction and engineering, to make essential repairs.

The Kind Seas, owned by Fairplay Maritime Ltd., is a bulk carrier that loaded corn and wheat in Kalama. It is expected to depart for Japan after the safety violations have been corrected.

Port of Kalama Appoints Economic Development Manager

By Mark Edward Nero

The Port of Kalama said Dec. 8 that it has appointed Eric Yakovich to the position of economic development manager.

In the role, Yakovich will manage new and ongoing construction and community projects, assist port clients during development projects, participate in regional economic development initiatives and administer grants for port projects.

He will also oversee port records, reception, security and safety, as well as infrastructure. His initial projects include infrastructure development for the proposed methanol plant, extending walking paths, building demolition, warehouse construction and laying new railroad tracks.

Prior to his move to the Port of Kalama, Yakovich was Chief Executive Officer for Cowlitz County Guidance Association, a comprehensive community mental health center serving over 6500 people a year in Longview, Woodland, Kelso, Kalama and Castle Rock. He also previously worked at Columbia River Mental Health Services.

At the Port of Kalama, he replaces Jacobo Salan, who in July 2013 was appointed the port’s first-ever full-time economic development manager.

The Port of Kalama also said that it has appointed Russell Watts to the role of Field and Maintenance Operations/Facilities Technician. Watts brings 40 years’ experience working for municipal treatment plants in Vancouver, Gresham and North Bonneville.

Watts will assist the wastewater treatment operator with general operations, and assist the port maintenance crew with general upkeep, maintenance and repair of all port properties and facilities.

Port of Kalama Approves Methanol Production Agreement

By Mark Edward Nero

The Port of Kalama Commission on April 10 voted to approve a lease agreement with NW Innovation Works to build and operate a $1.8 billion manufacturing plant on port property that would produce methanol from natural gas.

The lease calls for a two-year contingency period allowing the port and NW Innovation Works to conduct in depth analysis of environmental, safety and feasibility issues. After all contingencies have been satisfied, a 30-year lease for construction and operations would begin.

“I’m very happy that the port and NW Innovation Works have reached this milestone,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement released by the port. “I have instructed my Department of Commerce to continue working with the Port of Kalama and the company on this opportunity.”

The facility would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 200 permanent family wage jobs during operations, Port of Kalama Commission President Alan Basso said. The methanol produced would be exported to Asia.

“NW Innovation Works still has more work to do evaluating the site and we’ll be talking with lots of people – city, county, school and fire district officials – and with citizens,” Basso said.

According to the port, the upcoming environmental and regulatory approval processes includes numerous opportunities for community input, particularly through Commission meetings. The port says it will publicize points in the process when issues related to the proposal are under consideration.

“Our partnership with the Port of Kalama demonstrates that we don’t have to choose between a healthy environment and a thriving economy,” NW Innovation Works CEO Simon Zhang said. “This project has the potential to transform the local economy while working to reduce China’s dependence on coal.”

Additional information about the NW Innovation Works proposal can be found at http://nwinnovationworks.com/#kalama.

Dredging to Begin at Port of Kalama’s TEMCO Site

The Port of Kalama commission on Oct. 16 voted to award an $857,000 maintenance dredging contract to Hickey Marine Enterprises for a project to maintain the draft needed for large cargo ships traversing the port.

Vancouver, Washington-based contractor Hickey Marine will remove materials in front of the TEMCO Grain Terminal located at the port. TEMCO, which is co-owned by Cargill and CHS Inc., is itself in the midst of a $50 million grain-export expansion, which it expects to complete in early 2014.

“One of the goals of the Port of Kalama is to provide the facilities needed for the commerce and success of our business tenants,” Port of Kalama Economic Development Manager Jacobo Salan said. “We are consistently taking a proactive approach to upgrading and enhancing port infrastructure for these purposes.”

The expansion was undertaken by TEMCO after the Columbia River channel was deepened by three feet, to 43 feet, thus allowing bulk grain ships to carry more cargo per load.

The latest project is expected to begin November and run through the end of 2013, according to the port. Kalama officials say general business activity at the facility isn’t expected to be interrupted during the dredging.

New Port of Kalama Executive Director Appointed

The Port of Kalama Commission on March 12 appointed Mark Wilson to serve as the port’s Executive Director. He assumes the role April 1, after the retirement of current Executive Director Lanny Cawley on March 31.

“Mark has been instrumental in much of the success the port has enjoyed over the years, and he is well-positioned to carry on the many projects initiated by Lanny Cawley during his tenure,” Port of Kalama commission president Troy Stariha said in a statement. “We believe that with Mark’s leadership the port will continue to serve the region as a significant economic development hub.”

Cawley, who joined the port as Director of Property Development and Management/Marketing in 1994, has served as director since 1998. Wilson, who’s currently the port’s deputy director, worked his way up through the ranks. He was first hired 30 years ago as a high school student on the summer maintenance crew and has spent the majority of his tenure on the port’s development activities.

Among the projects Wilson, 46, has overseen are the current work on the annexation and zoning of East Port which is expected to allow the port to develop a new mixed-use business park for commercial and light industrial.

He has also contributed to planning of the development of the 75-acre Kalama River Industrial Park, under which 156,000 square feet of industrial buildings have been constructed by the port and a 170,000-square-foot bottle manufacturing plant was built.

In 2005, Wilson helped manage a remodel project for the port-owned grain terminal, Cenex Harvest States, which added over 4,000 feet of rail and high speed railcar unloading capacity.

Port of Kalama Head Retiring

After nearly 19 years at the Port of Kalama, Executive Director Lanny Cawley has announced his retirement, effective March 31.

Cawley, who joined the port as Director of Property Development and Management/Marketing in 1994, has served as director since 1998. He has an MBA and BS from Portland State University School of Business, has been a member of numerous port-related groups and associations, including the Washington Public Ports Association and Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.

During his tenure, the southwest Washington port saw growth and economic development in many areas, including the development of a 75 acre industrial park; construction of 156,000 square feet of industrial buildings; and completion of road and utility infrastructure improvements.

Cawley also oversaw the acquisition of properties for future business development and development of recreational facilities; and development of the North Port heavy industrial site, which includes rail and the North Port wharf.

“Lanny’s steady leadership and direction of port expansion and development has significantly enhanced the region’s economic development and created more jobs at the port,” Port of Kalama Commission President Troy Stariha said. “His work ethic has not only set an example for us here, but has had a direct impact on the success of the port over his tenure.”

The Port of Kalama, which has five terminals, is located about 30 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon and 120 miles southwest of Seattle. It specializes in bulk commodity exports.

Port of Kalama Names New Commissioner

The Port of Kalama Commission has named Alan Basso its new District 2 commissioner, filling the vacancy left by the death of longtime commissioner Jim Lucas.

Basso, whose appointment was announced June 14, assumed his new role effective immediately and is expected to serve out the remainder of Lucas’ term, which ends next year. The contest for the District 2 seat will be part of the November 2013 general election cycle.

“We had a very qualified group of interested citizens to fill a vacant port commission position and (are) happy to announce Alan Basso is the new District 2 Commissioner,” port commission president Randy Sweet said. “We thank all of those who applied and encourage anyone interested to run for local office in the next election.”

Basso is a long-time Kalama resident and currently is a lieutenant and fire investigator with the Longview Fire Department as well as a part time juvenile detention officer with the Cowlitz County Juvenile Detention Center. He graduated from Kalama High School in 1980, earned a BA degree at Washington State University in 1986 and received an AAS in Fire Protection Technology from Portland Community College in 2010.

Lucas, the man Basso replaces, was a port commissioner from 1984 until he died April 4, 2012 from cancer-related health complications.

The Port of Kalama, which is located in southwest Washington on the Columbia River, is 30 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon and about 120 miles south of Seattle.

Port of Kalama Seeks Commission Vacancy Applicants

The Port of Kalama is moving forward with an appointment process to fill a vacancy on its three-member Board of Commissioners caused by the death of longtime commissioner Jim Lucas.

Local residents interested in representing District No. 2 on the Kalama Port Commission can send a letter of interest to Executive Director Lanny Cawley at 380 W Marine Drive, Kalama, WA 98625.

Applicants are required reside and be a legally registered voter in Kalama Port District No. 2, and letters of interest must include the applicant’s registered voting address.

Completed applications must be received by the port no later than 5 p.m. Mon., April 30, 2012 for consideration. Upon receipt of the letter of interest, applicants will receive an application packet to be filled out and submitted to the port.

The person ultimately appointed to the seat will be required to attend Board of Commission meetings at 5:30 pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, as well as occasional special meetings. The appointee is to hold the seat until the expiration of Lucas’ current term in November 2013, at which time an open election for the seat would be held.

Lucas served as a port commissioner from 1984 until he died April 4, 2012 from cancer-related health complications.

The Port of Kalama, which is located in southwest Washington on the Columbia River, is 30 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon and about 120 miles south of Seattle.