The Port of Astoria will send Executive Director Jack Crider and Port Vice President Larry Pfund to South Korea next month to discuss projects. Talks will take place with various shipping companies, Astorias Port, the Port of Busan and the Korean Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs.

Dr. Sunny Park, of Astoria, who is involved as a translator, said that leaders of a Korean delegation will make a decision in the next two days on when they will be coming to Astoria to meet with Port officials.

Im upset with Mr. Park and Korea, said Commissioner Bill Hunsinger, about a previous agreement for a Korean delegation to visit Astoria. Why arent they sitting across the table like they promised?

Dr. Park said the delegation could come some time after November. Commissioner Floyd Holcom added that it took the Port of Portland several trips to Korea before a Korean delegation reciprocated.

Another source of contention involving Korea was Gov. John Kitzhabers trip to sign a trade pact Sept. 15 in Seoul. Port officials said that while all Oregonians including those in Astoria pay for Oregons office in Korea, the state government hasnt given appropriate recognition to the Ports partnership with Busan.

Did somebody forget that Astoria signed a sister port agreement with the largest port in Korea? asked Holcom.

Officials considered sending a resolution to the governor asking for recognition of its partnerships.

In other action during a wide-ranging meeting, members discussed an intergovernmental agreement they need to sign to continue receiving state funds through the states Connect Oregon grant program, operated by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The city of Astoria received approximately $3.8 million in Connect Oregon III grants to reconstruct the docks along 17th Street.

These services should be for free, said Crider about having to sign the agreement to obtain state funds. We shouldnt have to sign something like this.

The Port didnt take action on the agreement. Crider said it needs the money to continue improvements to Pier 3.

The issue is in discussions with the Lower Columbia Solutions Group, a bi-state group of environmentalists, fishing interests and business and government organizations dealing with dredging material issues. The parties are trying to find sustainable dredge material disposal projects to minimize the impact on the lower Columbia.

The Port wants to use dredging spoils to add land to Tongue Point, among other locations.

We view dredge spoils as a bonus, said Pfund.

Port officials talked about hiring a private company to analyze the different materials in the sand on Rice Island. Officials mentioned that Ross Management Group, which operates the gravel center on Ross Island in Portland, is interested in Rice Island projects.

Emergency dredging was another significant issue, with increased silt deposits in the Columbia. Hunsinger said the Port should look into using new dredging equipment, and Holcom asked why the Port hasnt asked for emergency dredging.

The Port will soon be negotiating a new dredging permit, trying to incorporate new equipment and increase capacity.