The cities of Cordova, Alaska, and Westport, Washington have been designated by US Coast Guard as Coast Guard Cities through 2024. The designation reflects a community’s close relationship with the agency. The two municipalities, which plan to celebrate the designation early next year, are among 28 others with the special title. Cities may retain the designation for five years before having to recertify for the status. Cordova – population 2,205 people – is situated in Prince William Sound in Coast Guard District 17 and is the region’s biggest commercial fishing port. The agency has been in the Alaskan city since…

The 65th annual Christmas Ships Parade returns to the Port of Camas-Washougal on the historic Columbia River on Dec 7. The port will host as many as 30 decorated vessels for a special performance of this local tradition. Free hot cider and cookies will be served in the port’s meeting room for those wanting to escape the cold. Carolers from Washougal High School will add to the evening’s festivities. The event is free. Doors open to the public at 5 p.m., with the parade set to begin at 6 p.m. at 24 South A Street in Washougal. For more information,…

Six projects aimed toward augmenting greenspace and parks recently received a boost of more than $4.3 million from the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. Recipients of the Port of Long Beach Community Grants Program include: • City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services –$21,472 for Stephens Middle School edible garden • Camp Fire Angeles – $645,286 for Discovery Trail at DeForest Park • The Salvation Army – $670,000 for the Red Shield Youth and Community Center at Long Beach Boulevard and Spring Street • City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine – $981,280…

Katherine Lam and Meg Niemi are the newest members of the nine-member Port of Portland Commission, replacing outgoing Commissioners Tom Chamberlain and Gary Young. Lam, who is president and co-owner of Bambuza Hospitality Group, and Niemi, who has been president of SEIU Local 49 for more than 13 years, were appointed by Gov. Kate Brown. The Oregon Senate approved the appointments Nov. 20. “It's a great honor to serve the Port of Portland in this capacity,” said Lam. “Portland has an award-winning international airport with an exciting expansion ahead of it. I look forward to building on that momentum to…

The Port of Seattle is seeking input on a proposed cruise terminal at Terminal 46. The public will have until 4 p.m. on Nov. 13 to weigh in on the proposal, which calls for the development of a new 29-acre cruise terminal that would meet the growing demands of the port’s cruise business. A pair of EIS Public Scoping Meetings/Open Houses, which will provide an opportunity to hear more about the project and weigh in on its potential environmental impact, are scheduled for the coming weeks. Feedback will be gathered and considered for the project’s SEPA analysis. The first meeting…

Leading maritime agencies gathered in Seattle recently to discuss efforts to curb underwater noise that is harming endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Representatives of the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Northwest Seaport Alliance, Washington State Ferries, NOAA, and the Puget Sound Partnership teamed to bring about a workshop that could help lower the noise pollution for the orcas, who have a hard time hunting and communicating underwater because of the noise. “It was heartening to have such a broad range of expertise in the same room committed to tackling the critical issue of orca survival in the Salish Sea,”…

The Port of Redwood City’s waterfront will soon feature the work of Bay Area street artist Marlon Yanes. On Nov. 20, the port will unveil Yanes’ art during a ribbon cutting ceremony. The paintings feature a 3-D mural depicting the inside of a sailboat cabin, utility box artwork honoring the port’s history and a series of nautical-themed light posts. “These fresh bursts of colorful public art are one of the many ways we’re working to invite more of the community to enjoy our waterfront,” said Port Executive Director Kristine Zortman. “With so many recreational opportunities here along the waterfront, we…

Port of Seattle Commissioners moved to fund a portion of the Miller Creek restoration project in collaboration with the cities of Burien and SeaTac. The motion to negotiate an inter-local agreement to allocate $800,000 of the $3.5 million joint project would help with the replacement of a failing culvert and the creation of 450 feet of new salmon spawning habitat on port land along Des Moines Memorial Drive. The creek supports existing runs of Coho salmon. “When fully funded, this project will help restore Miller Creek to a more natural state, cooling and filtering the water to restore salmon habitat,”…

The Port of Everett’s $66.2 million budget for 2020 reflects a significant investment in its future and that of the region. The 2020 fiscal plan includes $24.7 million in operating/non-operating expenses and $24.3 million in capital investment. Approximately $6.5 million has been put aside for environmental remediation and public access projects, and $9.2 million to pay the principal and interest of the port long-term debt. The $24.3 million capital investment – $103.1 million through 2024 – will help fund 45 projects that further the port’s Strategic Plan. The plan includes upgrades to Seaport facilities, development of the former Kimberly-Clark mill…