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An Unattractive Port by Paul McGoldrick The Oregonian, September 5, 2004

Bill Wyatt's "In My Opinion" column of Aug. 28 is very self-serving. Portland is an entirely illogical place to site a container port, and the news of two -- out of the three -- carriers withdrawing service should not be unexpected: Navigating the Columbia River is time-consuming and not without hazards, and the imbalance of imported to exported cargo makes Portland an unattractive port of call.

Instead of moaning, Oregon should pour the funds that are available to dredge the Columbia into developing the natural, and very ocean-accessible, deep-water harbors of Astoria and Coos Bay.

Rail access to both harbors is available but would need improvements. Any harvests that currently barge only to Portland could be more safely taken farther down to Astoria.

Roads to Astoria would require improvement, but Coos Bay has excellent access to the Interstate 5 corridor through the strategically maintained Oregon 38.

Looking to the future is more profitable than trying to preserve the past.