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Corps NEPA Update and Public Comment Period
The Corps will be seeking public comments on their Interim Final Rule (IFR) rescinding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which is anticipated to be published in the Federal Register soon. The pre-publication copy of the IFR can be found here. The Corps issued a correction to the interim rule on permit NEPA process and it can be found here. It is anticipated that the comment period will only last 30 days from the date of publication.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is under the Department of Defense (DoD) will follow the department wide procedures for NEPA implementation for the civil works program. However, the Corps regulatory (permitting) and Section 408 program will still fall under existing Corps procedures that will be updated in a separate proposed action.
The Civil Works program categorical exclusions (CXs) will remain. The IFR notes, “The Army Civil Works program expects the new and revised CXs to increase use of CXs and to shorten project-approval timelines”.
The previous Corps’ NEPA procedures were meant to supplement the procedures promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). However, the Supreme Court ruled that CEQ was an advisory body to the President and not granted legislative authority to make rules for NEPA rules for federal agencies. In addition, the Supreme Court ruled in a case limiting the scope of NEPA analysis to the action at hand and not the impacts of upstream or downstream actions or future actions that could result.
The DoD has defined this IFR as procedural and does not believe notice and public comment are necessary or required for this IFR. However, the DoD has voluntarily chosen to seek comment in this instance. To see the original language of 33 CFR Part 230 Procedures for Implementing NEPA, click here. Pages 11-12 of the IFR describe the changes to be made to the original language.
To submit comments via email, include docket number COE-2025-0007 in the subject line of the message and send it to CEHQ-NEPA@usace.army.mil. You can also send comments through the eRulemaking portal for docket number COE-2025-0007 and/or 0710-AB28 by following the submission directions.
USACE Walla Walla District Meeting
As an annual tradition, PNWA again worked with the Walla Walla District of the Corps to host stakeholders for a review of the maintenance performed during last spring’s outage and for a look ahead to upcoming projects for the closures. Held at the beginning of July, it was well attended by representatives from a variety of operators on the river system. Notably we learned of some big projects coming down the pike:
- Ice Harbor upstream gate lock and downstream gate sheave replacements
- New tainter valves at all Lower Snake River Dams and McNary
- Crane replacements at McNary
- New switchgear, lock controls, and operator stands at Lower Granite
- Power and control replacements at Lower Monumental
- Upstream gate machinery replacement at Little Goose
We also received updates on the Tiered NEPA process which includes the 2014 Lower Snake River Programmatic Sediment Management Plan. The EIS produced three alternatives under review for how to address sediment accumulation including: 1. No action 2. Navigation Channel Modification with Reduced Dredging, and 3. In-Water “Training” Structures. A completed NEPA process is expected.
Upcoming closures were also announced. For 2026 expect a 5-week closure from February 21 – March 28. In 2027 there is an expectation of a tentative closure for 5 weeks. The extended closure is expected in 2030 when the locks will close for a tentative 16-week period. If would like more details on what was discussed at the meeting, please see the slides here.
Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Study
As part of WSDOT’s Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Study, the department held three open houses in late June to receive public input. Although PNWA staff couldn’t attend due to other commitments, feedback was shared by our partners who could.
The open houses took place in Colfax, Pasco, and Clarkston. Pasco had about 30 attendees while Colfax brought in around 40 attendees and Clarkston had over 40. Mayors, state legislators, city council members, county commissioners and other representatives attended along with community members, farmers and students. Concerns raised by participants included worry over the capacity of narrow rural roads and rail to absorb increased freight without significant investments in infrastructure, questions about the costs associated with the project, skepticism regarding the narrowness of the study (no consideration of products besides wheat or impacts across state lines), and potential bias from the consultants.
Additionally, Pasco’s open house included participants presenting information on environmental impacts from dams. The hosts steered participants to complete their online survey form to capture feedback.
The Technical Advisory Committee met for its 8th meeting in June. Notably, we learned that Jacobs Consulting is trying to rework their model to incorporate the issues raised by Eric Jessup and the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) team.
Northwest Power and Conservation Council's Fish and Wildlife Program
In time for the July 3rd deadline, PNWA submitted public comment to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council as they amend their Fish and Wildlife Program. This amendment process occurs every five years when the Council seeks recommendations from around the region on how to improve the program. PNWA submitted a letter supporting the comments submitted by the Northwest River Partners and Public Power Council and to urge the Council to consider several recommendations including relying on modern science to inform recovery objectives, preserving the role of navigation locks in a working river system, rejecting dam breaching proposals, and leveraging partnerships. To read our comments click here.
Mississippi meets the Columbia Tour
At the end of June, Neil Maunu and Megan McKibben joined the Washington Association of Wheat Growers hosting the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association (UMWA) on a tour of our Columbia-Snake River System. A similar exchange happened in reverse last year when PNWA toured the Upper Mississippi River System with UMWA.
It was a packed week beginning in Portland with a visit to Shaver Transportation before traveling to the Port of Longview and then up to Astoria for meetings with the Columbia Bar Pilots and Columbia River Pilots followed by a visit to the Coast Guard facility at Cape Disappointment. Coming back through Kalama, there was a stop at M-84, and tour of Port of Kalama’s Temco Facility, before visiting Port of Vancouver, where our Mississippi friends received a ride on a Foss Tugboat, before we ended the day at Tidewater.
Mid-week ventured inland, stopping at Bonneville Dam before hitting the Tri-Cities and meeting with Tri-Cities Grain, and Tidewater at their Pasco Snake River Terminal before boarding the American Cruise Lines docked at Richland. The tour finished with a ride through the Lower Granite lock, tour of the dam, and visit to the Port of Lewiston.
The experience shed light on the common goals of our respective systems despite their many differences. Exchanging information, best practices and networking, laid the groundwork for allies and partners in the future.
The Columbian newspaper covered the Mississippi Delegation’s Columbia River Tour. The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration and build a unified voice in support of U.S. inland waterway shippers. Read the full article here.
Lower Columbia Regional Harbor Safety Conference
On July 9, PNWA presented at the 2025 Lower Columbia Regional Harbor Safety Conference in Astoria! Thank you to the Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee for hosting this important event.
We were proud to see our Deputy Director, Dena Horton, represent PNWA on the “Industry Insights” panel alongside the Merchants Exchange and Columbia River Steamship Operators Association—highlighting successes and priorities across the Columbia-Snake River System. From oil response and disaster case studies to inter-port collaboration and safety planning, the day’s sessions underscored the strength of regional coordination and our shared commitment to safe, efficient, and resilient waterways.
PNWA is grateful to be part of such a knowledgeable and collaborative maritime community working to protect people, the environment, and commerce along the Lower Columbia.
PNWA Signs Letter Opposing New Port Fee Proposal in USTR Section 301 Action
The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) joined a broad coalition of over 150 national and regional organizations in signing a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on July 7, 2025. The letter urges the Administration to reconsider its proposed port fee on Chinese-built vessels under the Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime sector practices.
PNWA supports efforts to strengthen the U.S. maritime and shipbuilding industries and ensure a competitive global trade environment. However, we are concerned that the proposed port fee would increase costs for American cargo owners, impact smaller ports, and reduce supply chain efficiency.
We continue to advocate for solutions that prioritize strategic investment and long-term resilience across the domestic maritime sector. Click here to read the letter.
PNWA is Moving!
PNWA will be moving our office to Downtown Vancouver, Washington in August 2025. We are excited to move to our new location. Please update your contact information for us.
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
1610 C Street, Suite 205
Vancouver, WA 98663
Updated office phone numbers to follow at a later date. Cellphone phone numbers will remain the same.
PNWA 2025 Annual Convention - Registration is Open!
As our most popular event of the year, the PNWA Annual Convention offers a prime opportunity to connect with key regional and federal partners, along with over 200 PNWA colleagues from the Northwest. This is the ideal time to touch base as the calendar year winds down and we kick-off preparations for the coming year’s vital advocacy efforts.
You’ll have the chance to interact with and learn from experts in our region’s working waterways, transportation corridors, economic development industries, and regulatory community. Beyond networking with your colleagues, our goal is to provide you with the most timely and relevant information. Learn more here.