Register for State of the Port

Annual Port Report
State of the Port by Port Commissioner, Don Johnson

Jan 23, 2015

11:15 am - 1:00 pm
Fabulich Center, Port of Tacoma
3600  Port of Tacoma Rd, Tacoma 98424

Come and hear from Port Commission President Don Johnson.

The WTCT is excited to welcome you to a special opportunity to hear about the Port of Tacoma's key areas of success as well as some of their concerns from 2014.

A significant part of the program will include some of the Port's exciting vision for 2015.

Some time for questions will be provided toward the end of the luncheon.

Members: $30  Non-Members: $40
Register

Thanks to the WA Congressional Delegation for HMT Reforms

Our region's thanks to the Washington Congressional delegation for the passage of reform legislation of the Harbor Maintenance Tax.  As a donor port, the Port of Tacoma is at a disadvantage relative to competition with Canadian West Coast ports and not receiving any benefits here from the tax collected here.

Port Transportation & Land Use at January M-I-M

Manufacturing – Industries – Maritime (M-I-M) Meeting

January 17, 2014
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
La Quinta Inn & Suites

Featuring: Port of Tacoma’s Land Use & Transportation Plans

Kell McAboy
Port of Tacoma

Ian Munce
City of Tacoma

Two major planning documents are underway, having completed their draft phases, requiring complementary and collaborative efforts by the Port of Tacoma and the City of Tacoma. These land use and transportation plans identify policies and action strategies to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.

The Port of Tacoma is preparing a land use and transportation plan that will identify policies and recommendations to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.

The land use and transportation plan will build on the goals and initiatives in its Strategic Plan http://www.portoftacoma.com/strategic-plan by providing information, policies and recommendations to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.
The plan will be a policy-based document that identifies and prioritizes actions needed to achieve the Port's goals. It will act as a form of communication for decision makers and be designed to guide development over a 10 to 20 year planning horizon.

The area of focus for the plan is the Port of Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC) as designated by the Puget Sound Regional Council. Here is the link to the DRAFT Plan.

The City of Tacoma enjoys the economic contributions of the Port of Tacoma.

In order to protect the unique and critical infrastructure and industrial node of our state’s intermodal ports, in 2009, the Washington State Legislature amended the Growth Management Act (GMA) to include a requirement for a Container Port Element (CPE) in the GMA Comprehensive Plan for cities that contain a marine container port with annual operating revenues in excess of $60 million.

The legislative intent is “… to ensure that local land use decisions are made in consideration of the long-term and widespread economic contribution of our international container ports and related industrial lands and transportation systems and to ensure that container ports continue to function effectively alongside vibrant city waterfronts.” RCW 36.70A.085

Accordingly, the City of Tacoma, in collaboration with the Port of Tacoma, has prepared a Container Port Element for public review. Consistent with state requirements, the element provides policy guidance to achieve the following:

•         Protection of core areas of container port and port-related industrial areas within the City

•         Efficient access to the core area through freight corridors within the city limits

•         Protection against potential land use conflicts along the edge of the core area

•         Identification of key transportation corridor improvements.

The text of the Proposed CPE, together with background information, can be found on the City Website. To access the webpage for the CPE visit the Planning Services Division’s homepage  and click on “Container Port Element”, or go directly here.

Join us and share mutual interests, discover upcoming legislative issues, increase business opportunities and build relationships with our M-I-M group.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

Tacoma Council Position Open for Appointment

At last night’s City Council meeting, the Council directed the City Manager to initiate the process to fill the City Council District No. 2 position which will be vacated by Council Member Jake Fey. 

 

The City Clerk’s Office is now accepting applications with cover letter and resume to fill the District No. 2 position.

 

Attached are the notice of vacancy and the application materials for your reference. Click on images for a larger view. The materials are also available at www.cityoftacoma.org.

 

ESA Suit Threatens Flood Insurance

As suspected, the National Wildlife Federation has filed suit against FEMA.

Today, NWF moved for a preliminary injunction against the sale of flood insurance in the Puget Sound region pending the outcome of the lawsuit

FEMA may be prevented from issuing FLOOD INSURANCE .  This could have severe impacts on all types of real estate and countless businesses that operate in any floodplain in the Puget Sound region.

Why:  Because the suit against FEMA seeks an injunction to prohibit the sale of flood insurance policies in Washington State .

Immediate action needed:

Support a coalition of real estate organizations, owners, property professionals and businesses who have organized as “Property Owners for Sensible Floodplain Regulation” (POSFR) in an effort to Protect Property Rights in the Floodplain.

On November 30, 2011, Property Owners for Sensible Floodplain Regulation (POSFR) held a meeting at Renton City Hall to discuss pending changes to the floodplain maps and development regulations applicable to floodplains in the Puget Sound region.  During that meeting, it was  highlighted that the National Wildlife Federation had submitted a 60-day Notice of Intent to sue to FEMA in September 2011, asserting that FEMA has not done enough to enforce the very restrictive development standards set forth in the Biological Opinion issued by NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service to FEMA in September 2008 regarding FEMA’s operation of the National Flood Insurance Program in the Puget Sound region.

On December 8, the National Wildlife Federation filed their lawsuit against FEMA.  They assert that FEMA has violated several sections of the Endangered Species Act by failing to require the 122 Puget Sound jurisdictions participating in the National Flood Insurance Program to enforce the most restrictive provisions of the Biological Opinion.  Those restrictive provisions include, but are not limited to:

§         A 150-250 foot “no adverse affects” buffer around all rivers and streams in the region;

§         A restriction on new impervious surface to no more than 10% of the lot area;

§         A requirement to provide compensatory storage to offset any floodplain fill;

And there is more …..

The impacts to ongoing property operations and future development could be severe.

The National Wildlife Federation has filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction.  They are asking the federal court to suspend the sale of flood insurance for any new development or substantial redevelopment until FEMA implements the Biological Opinion as the National Wildlife Federation would like.  If the Court issues the injunction – which could occur as soon as February 2012 – it will halt most development and substantial redevelopment in the floodplain areas of our region for several months, if not years.  The NWF was successful in getting an injunction against the sale of flood insurance in Monroe County, Florida – which has been in effect since 2005.

Over the past year, POSFR has attempted to focus property owners and businesses located in and near the floodplain on the substantial risks facing their properties and business operations from the Biological Opinion and corresponding changes to local floodplain development regulations.  POSFR’s efforts have also included a parallel FEMA project, floodplain remapping, that in many cases is resulting in expanded floodplain area encompassing properties never before shown in the floodplain.  With the filing of this lawsuit by the National Wildlife Federation, the risks to real property in the floodplain have become very real.  You may not be able to buy flood insurance when you most need it.  And you may have no voice in the design and imposition of extreme restrictions on development and redevelopment in the floodplains going forward.

Your help is needed.  Your participation and financial support are critical to enable POSFR to continue working to protect the property rights and development potential for properties in the floodplain or at risk of being mapped into the floodplain. 

In the next month, POSFR would like to file an amicus brief to counter the National Wildlife Federation’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction.  Our brief would highlight the vast development regulations that already exist in the region and that protect endangered species, and also the enormous economic harm that would result from a ban on the sale of flood insurance for new development or substantial redevelopment in the region.  You may support its efforts by becoming a member of POSFR (see attached) and also by making a contribution to its litigation efforts.  If POSFR does not participate in this suit, property owners will not have a voice when it is needed most – and they cannot file unless your support it.

You may send the attached Commitment Form (click on image for a larger view) and your contribution made out to GordonDerr to:

Molly Lawrence

GordonDerr, LLP

2025 First Ave., Ste. 500

Seattle, WA 98121

Please note in the “RE” line for any check:  Deposit in trust for POSFR. 

This issue is truly urgent.  POSFR needs to raise funds NOW to ensure a defense against the National Wildlife Federation’s request for a preliminary injunction.  POSFR is the only entity prepared to make some of the key arguments that should stave off the injunction on the sale of flood insurance.  If POSFR does not participate, many of the key arguments simply will not be made.

POSFR is supported by real estate owners, managers, management companies, business owners, trade associations such as BOMA, Washington REALTORS, Master Builders, Association of Washington Business, Etc.

GUEST Blogger: Molly A. Lawrence |  GordonDerr LLP | 2025 First Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA  98121-3140 | mlawrence@GordonDerr.com | Phone: 206-382-9540 | Fax: 206-626-0675 | www.GordonDerr.com

Alaska-Tacoma Trade on TV

Harry McDonald, CEO of Anchorage-based Carlile Transportation Systems and Gary Brackett, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Business & Trade Manager are featured in a South Sound Business Report TV segment entitled "Alaska and the South Sound."

Brackett shares the deep extent of commerce connection between Puget Sound ports and the economy of Alaska, which must import most of its supplies and equipment needs.

McDonald talks about the family- and employee-owned logistics company with terminals in Houston, Minnesota, Alberta and its largest outside of Alaska at Port of Tacoma. He also has observations on the economy in the 49th state, which may soon be seeing a rebirth of energy-providing growth.

Watch Alaska and the South Sound on PBS. See more from South Sound Business Report.

The program will also air on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. on KBTC PBS-Tacoma after the station's December pledge campaign preemptions end.

Endangered Species Endangers Floodplains

Last month, the Chamber cooperated with the Propeller Club Port of Tacoma Chapter in a program about the National Marine Fisheries Services Biological Opinion of the EPA’s Endangered Species Act for floodplains as designated by FEMA mapping.

There is another upcoming presentation for November 30^th between 8:30-10:00am at Renton City Hall regarding the flood issues that H. Ray Liaw presented and responded to questions last month.  This will be a slightly longer presentation and will focus on the litigation that is upcoming regarding the floodplain issues.

Where:   Renton City Hall (1055 S. Grady Way, Renton) 7^th floor conference room

When:    November 30^th (Wednesday) 8:30 to 10:00 AM

Click this link REGISTER to automatically open a reply email to the support staff managing the registration list.   

Please forward this message to associates and colleagues who fit the above description

There are pending changes that will drastically impact your ability and cost to:

1.      Rebuild or alter your property after a flood

2.      Develop or redevelop your property in the flood plain regardless of whether it ever floods

3.      Finance your property if it is located in a floodplain or

4.      Obtain flood insurance.

Your support is needed to help collectively represent the interests of real estate owners and managers – the window of opportunity to avoid new regulations is closing quickly, please read the information below and attached.

Where:   Renton City Hall (1055 S. Grady Way, Renton) 7^th floor conference room

When:    November 30^th (Wednesday) 8:30 to 10:00 AM

FEMA continues its efforts to redraw the floodplain maps for the Puget Sound region, including King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.  The latest round of preliminary floodplain maps for the Kent Valley show hundreds of acres of land previously considered safe from flooding now within the floodplain.  Similar changes are pending in Pierce County, where huge areas around the Puyallup River are proposed for remapping into the floodplain.  If you own or manage real estate near any river in the Puget Sound region, you may soon be mapped within FEMA’s designated flood zone.  Properties within the floodplain are subject to one, and often several, additional layers of development regulations and permitting requirements – which are at real and significant risk of becoming impossibly restrictive if we don’t take action.

In February 2011, we held a previous meeting about these issues.  During that meeting, we explained that we were concerned that FEMA and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) were moving to require municipalities throughout the Puget Sound region (Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila in the Kent Valley) to adopt significant changes to their land use rules governing development and redevelopment of floodplain properties.  Following that meeting – with the funds raised from that meeting – we have been able to stave off the most restrictive changes. 

But now the environmental groups who pushed FEMA and NMFS to require limitations on the use of properties in the floodplain – both current and potential future floodplain areas – are upset and will be filing a lawsuit this month to try to force FEMA, NMFS, and local governments to implement much more restrictive regulations in the Puget Sound floodplain areas.

This message is to alert you to an important meeting.  This meeting will cover:

1.      The scope of the problem and how it affects your property

2.      The pending lawsuit by environmental groups to force more restrictions on property in the floodplain

3.      The financial support needed toward a legal defense fund to help protect and preserve property rights and development options and to help shape fair regulatory changes (This is the key element of the meeting.  A plan of action will be outlined.)

Where:   Renton City Hall (1055 S. Grady Way, Renton) 7^th floor conference room

When:    November 30^th (Wednesday) 8:30 to 10:00 AM

Please read the linked “Three Flood Zone ImpactScenarios” to learn how FEMA’s and NMFS’s proposed land use standards will impact you.  Remember, even if your property never floods, these proposed development standards may govern your property’s future use.  How might new land development standards affect your ability to insure and refinance your property? How will that affect your equity? If what you read concerns you—forward this email to other floodplain property owners and managers and attend the meeting.  We hope to see you at the meeting.

This message is being sent by Property Owners for Sensible Floodplain Regulations (POSFR), a coalition of property owners, industry groups such as (BOMA, Washington REALTORS, AWB, MBA, RHA) and real estate representatives from firms like CBRE, Kidder Matthews, etc. who are concerned about the potential over-regulation of floodplain areas in the Puget Sound region.

To register – please copy this contact info list

Name:

Email:

Title:

Company:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Then click this link REGISTER to automatically open a reply email to the support staff managing the registration list.  Just paste the contact info list into that email – fill in your data (you can anything already in your email signature).

Question can be directed to any of the following:

Rod Kauffman BOMA Seattle 206-622-8924 rkauffman@bomaseattle.org

Mark Jackson BOMA member 253-872-9879 mark.jackson@cbre.com

Lezlie Plastino Kidder Mathews 253-893-1156 lezliep@kiddermathews.com

Todd Woosley Hal Woosley Prop. Inc. 425-455-5730 todd@woosleyproperties.com

Jeanette McKague Washington Realtors 425-888-8816 jeanette.mckague@warealtor.org

Regulations on the Floodplains

Meeting Notice

Propeller Club

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

5:30 Registration and Reception

6:30 Dinner and Program

La Quinta Inn

1425 E. 27^th, Tacoma 98421

RSVP:  Frank Morrow, 253-269-7624 or email frankm@pctrucking.net

RSVP requested by 3:00 p.m., Oct. 25

Price:  $25

Program: Property Owners for Sensible Floodplain Regulation (POSFR)

POSFR advocates for owners of properties in Washington State’s floodplains, representing their economic, legal and political interests in local, state and national forums on issues related to floodplain development and regulation.  

POSFR began in January 2011 as a spontaneous coming together of a small group of volunteers concerned about the imposition of the NFIP Biological Opinion on local jurisdictions without input from those most affected—property owners.  They understood that such regulations would have draconian economic consequences, particularly on the $7 billion of real estate in the Green River Valley.

Immediate Goals:

1. To bring public attention to the adverse economic impacts that may result from the imposition of overly restrictive development regulations on floodplain properties. 

2.     To engage the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA-Fisheries), Washington State, King County, local municipalities, and others to clarify and minimize to the extent appropriate the impact on property and economic development of the Biological Opinion issued by NOAA-Fisheries to FEMA regarding the operation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in the Puget Sound region. 

3. To aggressively represent property owners and businesses in the administrative and political debates surrounding the NFIP Biological Opinion and other floodplain issues in order to preserve property rights and the economic viability of properties located in the State’s floodplains. 

4. To bring legal action as needed on behalf of floodplain property owners.