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PNWA Holiday Open House
As we look ahead to 2026, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us for our Holiday Open House. From festive refreshments to a special visit from our very own Santa, the gathering was a wonderful way to celebrate PNWA’s new office in Vancouver, Washington. Sharing the space with our members and friends and enjoying the opportunity to connect in person truly made the office feel like home.
We also want to acknowledge those who were unable to attend due to challenging weather or busy holiday schedules. You were missed, and we are grateful for your continued support from near and far.
Thank you for being part of the PNWA community. We look forward to a productive and successful 2026 and to continuing our work together in the year ahead.
Staff Attends CRSOA Holiday Party
WA Ecology "Rails, Keels, and Wheels" Grant
The Washington State Department of Ecology has opened applications for its new Rails, Keels, and Wheels program, offering $25 million in grant funding to support upgrades from diesel to electric vehicles and vessels. The program covers up to 75 percent of project costs for both public and private entities, with a hybrid option providing up to 40 percent reimbursement for tugboats.
Eligible projects include trucks, freight vehicles, locomotives, and tugboats, with funding made available through Washington’s allocation of the federal Volkswagen settlement. Applications are open from October 15, 2025, through January 8, 2026.
For more information, contact Rose Bennett, rose.bennett@ecy.wa.gov, 360-819-3456 with Washington Department of Ecology or email the VW Grants Team at vwsettlements@ecy.wa.gov
WSDOT Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Study
At the ninth Technical Advisory Committee meeting for the Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Study, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) presented updated results from its Total Logistics Cost (TLC) model evaluating freight transportation under current conditions, future growth, and multiple dam-breach mitigation scenarios.
The analysis confirmed that the existing river system is the lowest-cost and most efficient freight option. Scenarios with the dams in place consistently outperformed dam-breach alternatives, which would increase transportation costs, truck traffic, and reliance on rail. Even with major mitigation investments, the study found that barge transportation cannot be effectively replaced.
Connect Oregon Grant
The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced that the next competitive funding round for the Connect Oregon Grant Program will open January 7 through February 27, 2026. Approximately $75 million is available for eligible aviation, marine, and rail transportation projects across Oregon.
Public, private, and nonprofit entities are eligible to apply. Funding is dedicated to non-highway transportation infrastructure and cannot be used for road maintenance or agency operations. Application materials will be available on the Connect Oregon website beginning January 7, with submitted projects reviewed by advisory committees before final consideration by the Oregon Transportation Commission in fall 2026.
Since 2005, the Connect Oregon program has funded 240 projects statewide, including port dock upgrades, rail modernization, and airport improvements.
For more information, contact John Boren at 503-951-0166.
PNWA visits Port of Astoria
PNWA staff recently visited the Port of Astoria, where we met with Will Isom and Matt McGrath for a tour of port properties and a deeper look at their maritime operations. We learned a great deal about the Port’s day-to-day needs, the importance of strong advocacy for working waterfronts, and the thoughtful plans underway to grow and improve port facilities.
Planned shipyard improvements, pier upgrades, and marina enhancements are focused on strengthening maritime operations, delivering reliable infrastructure, improving efficiency, and supporting environmentally sound use of our waterways, while creating long-term benefits for the Astoria community and maritime workforce, today and into the future.
PNWA Members WCT & Hyak in Astoria
In December, PNWA staff traveled to Astoria, Oregon, to visit members and learn more about their operations and future plans.
PNWA first visited WCT Marine & Construction, Inc., where Willie Toristoja, Rick Reid, and Remi Toristoja welcomed staff for a tour of their active shipyard. WCT operates a diverse fleet of tugs, heavy-lift water cranes, and shipyard cranes, providing critical services that include new construction, steel fabrication, welding, repairs, maintenance, and vessel upgrades. Operations were in full swing during the visit, highlighting WCT’s scale, capabilities, and essential role in supporting mariners and commerce on the Columbia River.
PNWA then met with Hyak Maritime to learn more about the company’s long-term vision and potential growth opportunities. Hyak Maritime is exploring ways to expand operations that strengthen the maritime industry while supporting economic development in Astoria and workforce opportunities across Clatsop County. Located on the Columbia River, the 34-acre Tongue Point facility continues to develop as a hub for vessel construction, repair, and maintenance, guided by a focus on safety, sustainability, and community engagement.
Mission to Washington April 20-23, 2026
The 2026 Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Mission to Washington will bring members to Washington, D.C. for direct engagement with lawmakers, including two full days on Capitol Hill meeting with the Northwest Congressional delegation to advance regional priorities.
This year’s Mission features a new partnership with the National Waterways Conference, offering a full day of high-level speakers and national industry perspectives, plus the signature Taste the Northwest Reception celebrating Pacific Northwest foods and agricultural products with members of Congress and their staff.
Registration is now open, and we encourage members to register and attend. Space is limited, and the hotel traditionally books up early and sells out. We look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C., and encourage you to register early to secure your spot and avoid missing this opportunity.
WRDA 2026 Stakeholder Hearing Held
PNWA was pleased to submit comments and concerns that were incorporated into the National Waterways Conference (NWC) outstanding testimony at the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee’s hearing, “Water Resources Development Act of 2026: Stakeholder Priorities.”
On December 17, 2025, NWC President and CEO Julie Ufner delivered powerful testimony and answered questions from committee members. She highlighted the need for clear and consistent communication, keeping projects on track and within cost estimates, and the need for predictability in Corps reviews and decisions across all policies and programs. In addition, she noted the importance of WRDA remaining on a two year cycle while noting some issues simply need Corps implementation guidance or Congressional oversight rather than legislative fixes. Julie stated, “At it’s core, WRDA exists because there are many water resource challenges that are too complex and too costly for local communities to handle. WRDA relies on a partnership of the Congress, Corps, and non-federal sponsors…WRDA works best when all three are aligned…greater certainty equals more durable partnerships and better projects.” One concern Julie raised in her testimony is the October 2025 Memorandum from the Defense Secretary centralizing communications and controlling information provided to Congressional staff and elected federal and state officials regarding capabilities and project needs.
In his opening statement, Ranking Member Rick Larsen voiced his displeasure with the new policy too. He stated, “My District this past weekend has been the victim of major flooding… Are the Corps of Engineers folks supposed to run, scurrying away like rats, when my staff approaches them in a room to ask for help in order to get culverts cleared out, in order to get dikes inspected, in order to get levees inspected? We’re supposed to go ask the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for permission to save lives in my District? This is a practical impact of a ridiculous short-sighted policy that is being applied to the Corps of Engineers….we can’t have delays waiting for the DOD to sign off on my staff talking to the local Corps of Engineers folks about the problems we’re facing.” Dr. Noel Hacegaba, the current Chief Operating Officer for the Port of Long Beach, California testified about concerns shared by the Port, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA), Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) related to the need for a Post Authorization Change Report for reauthorizing deepening the channels at the Port of Long Beach to 80 feet deep as a Chief’s Report was authorized in WRDA 2022 and design funds were secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In addition, he highlighted the lack of implementation of Harbor Maintenance Trust Funds (HMTF) for Donor and Energy Transfer Ports and requested that the distribution of those funds not be viewed as optional. PNWA has updated the WRDA 2026 fact sheet and will be ramping up advocacy in January when the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee portals open for Members of Congress to submit project authorizations and policy changes.
To watch the hearing, click here.
To view PNWA’s fact sheet, click here.
IPNG Files Court Response on Columbia–Snake River Operations
The Inland Ports and Navigation Group (IPNG) filed a response with the U.S. District Court of Oregon opposing emergency motions that seek to increase spill and significantly alter reservoir operations at eight dams on the Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers. IPNG emphasized that the proposed measures would provide negligible benefits to fish populations while increasing risks to navigation safety and system reliability.
IPNG noted that current federal operations under the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Biological Opinion are science-based, consistent with the Endangered Species Act, and already include substantial spill, adaptive management, and safety measures developed through years of collaboration. IPNG will continue to participate as a defendant-intervenor and advocate for balanced, science-driven solutions that support fish recovery while sustaining safe navigation and the economic vitality of the Columbia–Snake River System. Read here
PNWA Submits Comment on Proposed ESA Regulations
On November 19, the Administration released draft revisions to several Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations, with the proposed rules formally published in the Federal Register on November 21 for public comment.
PNWA submitted formal comments on the ESA Section 7 Interagency Cooperation rulemaking and expressed strong support for the agencies’ proposal to return to the 2019 definitions of “environmental baseline” and “effects of the action.” PNWA also welcomed the removal of the conservation offset and mitigation requirements included in the 2024 Interagency Cooperation Rule, noting that these changes help restore a more balanced, science-based approach to interagency consultation.
Coast Guard seeks I-5 Bridge Comments
Comments will be received for the record at this email address: d13-smb-d13 bridges@uscg.mil through January 11, 2026.
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Public Notice (PN-04-25) for the proposed replacement of the I-5 Portland to Vancouver Bridge, across the Columbia River, at river mile 106.5, between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Read more here
Dan Newhouse will not seek reelection
Representative Dan Newhouse has announced that he will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, concluding more than 25 years of public service, including over a decade representing Washington’s Fourth Congressional District. Congressman Newhouse reflected on his time in office with gratitude for the opportunity to serve his home state and confidence in the next generation of leadership for Central Washington.
PNWA thanks Congressman Newhouse for his years of dedicated service and for his commitment to representing the region’s communities, economy, and agricultural and maritime interests.
PNWA attends Legislative Outlook
PNWA staff member Dena Horton attended the recent Legislative Outlook event in Vancouver, which brought together more than 480 business and community leaders to hear directly from regional legislators and discuss key policy issues affecting Southwest Washington and the broader region.
PNWA thanks the Port of Vancouver USA, along with Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Identity Clark County, and the Columbia River Economic Development Council for organizing the event and bringing together business leaders and policymakers for a timely exchange on legislative priorities.