Port of Tacoma News
Jan. 10, 2020
In this issue:
Swearing-in ceremony of new commissioners tops Monday’s special meeting
Fighting hunger: Port volunteers repack almost 23,000 pounds in first repacking event of the year
Swearing-in ceremony of new commissioners tops Monday’s special meeting
At Monday’s special meeting, Port of Tacoma Commissioners Kristin Ang and Deana Keller will be sworn into office. The commission will approve the proposed officer positions and appoint the audit committee members for the year. Commissioners will also consider the future plans for the Port Administration Building.
The meeting starts at noon on Jan. 13 in Room 104 of the Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd. Meetings are streamed live.
Army Corps of Engineers seeks public comments on Tacoma Harbor Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) released the draft feasibility study and environmental assessment on Dec. 18, 2019 for the Tacoma Harbor deepening project.
A public meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Moore Branch of the Tacoma Public Library. The meeting will focus on the Corps’ draft report and draft environmental assessment resulting from a general investigation of dredging the Blair Waterway to improve navigation at the Port of Tacoma.
Corps officials will begin each session with an open house, followed by a presentation and an opportunity for attendees to comment on the Corps’ report.
The Corps is accepting public comments through Feb. 16.
The Blair Waterway is currently authorized to -51 feet mean lower low water (MLLW). The draft report and draft environmental assessment identify a tentatively selected plan to deepen the existing channel to an authorized project depth of -57 feet MLLW, expand channel widths ranging from 450 feet to 865 feet, and expand the turning basin boundary to a diameter of 1,935 feet.
Read the summaries of the draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment.
Port hires Mark Miller to direct information technology
Mark Miller joined the Port of Tacoma on Jan. 6 to lead the 16-member information technology team. Miller brings more than 30 years of experience in IT.
Miller will oversee the IT department at the Port, which also supports The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Before joining the Port, Miller served most recently as vice president of IT at Weyerhaeuser Company. Read the full release.
Diary of the Port Biologist: 2019 Year in Review
From failing culverts to salmon returning to Clear Creek, our Port Biologist writes about the year that was…in verse.
“Last winter a sinkhole formed over an important road, A culvert was failing where Wapato Creek flowed. The culvert will soon be replaced by a full-span bridge; I won’t miss that culvert, not even a smidge. Permitting this project has not been the most fun, But once it’s completed, the fish will have more room to run.”
Fighting hunger: Port volunteers repack almost 23,000 pounds in first repacking event of the year
A volunteer group of Port employees and their families kicked off the new year by repacking almost 23,000 pounds of food for the Emergency Food Network last weekend. With nine more repacking events scheduled for 2020, we hope to beat our 2019 record of 225,464 pounds.
Find out how your organization can help fight hunger in Pierce County at the EFN website.
Take a free bus tour of the Port this winter
Join us on free bus tours of the Port and learn about the valuable jobs related to manufacturing and trade. Tours are approximately 2 hours long. Reserve your spot by calling 253-383-9463 or at bustours@portoftacoma.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon
Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, April 21 from 1 to 3 p.m.