Table of Contents
Idaho Wheat Commissions & Nebraska Wheat Board, Growers Tours
PNWA presented during the first week of January to the Idaho Wheat Commission and the Nebraska Wheat Board as part of a Portland transportation and export tour organized in partnership with the Wheat Marketing Center.
Both tours were structured as lunch-and-learn sessions hosted at Shaver Transportation Company, featuring presentations from Shaver, PNWA, and the Columbia River Bar Pilots. Discussions focused on the Columbia River System’s role in moving wheat to global markets and the importance of reliable, multimodal transportation.
The Idaho Wheat Commission—established by wheat farmers and funded by Idaho growers—supports producer profitability through investments in market development, research, and grower education. The Nebraska Wheat Board, working alongside the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association, invests grower funds in international and domestic marketing, research, federal farm policy, and education to ensure a strong and sustainable wheat industry.
These engagements provided an important opportunity to connect wheat producers directly with maritime and river transportation partners and highlight the value of the Columbia River system in supporting U.S. agricultural exports.
Inland Navigation Coordination Meeting Highlights System Investments and Planning
PNWA recently participated in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Inland Navigation Coordination Meeting, which provided important updates on navigation operations, infrastructure investments, and long-term planning across the Columbia–Snake River System. The Corps outlined major ongoing and planned capital improvements, including tainter valve replacements at multiple Snake River projects and lock gate, power, and control upgrades at Ice Harbor and McNary Dams. These critical reliability investments will require carefully coordinated navigation outages extending through 2030, with some temporary lockage delays anticipated during construction windows.
The Corps also shared fish passage updates, noting generally average adult returns in recent seasons, and provided a status update on a tiered NEPA effort focused on sediment management at the Snake–Clearwater confluence, which continues to face schedule impacts from litigation. Strategic planning discussions emphasized the growing challenge of securing sufficient funding to maintain safe, efficient navigation while addressing aging infrastructure.
PNWA sincerely thanks all members who attended in person or virtually. Your participation is essential to our continued efforts to coordinate closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and waterway users to support reliable navigation and system stewardship.
LEARN MORE: Presentation PDF
Congratulations on the Launch of Oregon Container Terminal at Terminal 6
PNWA congratulates our partners on the successful launch of Oregon Container Terminal (OCT) at Terminal 6 and the transition to Harbor Industrial Services as the new long-term operator.
This milestone secures Oregon’s only international container terminal and represents an important step forward for maintaining reliable container service on the Columbia River. The transition supports exporters and importers across Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Idaho, strengthens supply chain resilience, preserves family-wage jobs, and reinforces the region’s connection to global markets.
OCT will operate under a long-term lease with the Port of Portland, offering direct vessel service, dual-rail access via BNSF and Union Pacific, and future barge connections to inland markets. Weekly container service is already underway, providing stability and renewed confidence for shippers after years of uncertainty.
PNWA applauds the collaboration among state leaders, labor, ports, and industry partners that made this outcome possible and looks forward to OCT’s continued success as a critical maritime and trade asset for the Pacific Northwest.
Anchorage Launch Services Joins with Diversified Marine
Diversified Marine has announced the acquisition of Anchorage Launch Services Company, the Columbia River’s premier launch service provider with more than 40 years of service to the region.
This strategic move brings together two legacy, Portland-based maritime companies with deep roots in the Columbia River system. By combining Diversified Marine’s strengths in vessel construction, repair, and retrofitting with Anchorage Launch Services’ expertise in launch operations, line handling, and ship assist services, the acquisition creates a comprehensive, multi-service maritime provider serving the entire Columbia River and Willamette River system.
Anchorage Launch Services will continue operating under its existing name, ensuring continuity for customers while benefiting from expanded resources, innovation, and new opportunities for employees.
We applaud Diversified Marine for this exciting step forward and congratulate both teams on a partnership that strengthens the Columbia River maritime community and enhances service across the Pacific Northwest.
WMF Maritime Day
PNWA members are encouraged to join the Washington Maritime Federation for its largest advocacy event of the year—WMF Maritime Day, taking place Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Olympia.
This full day of engagement brings Washington’s maritime community together for coordinated meetings with state lawmakers, providing a strong, unified voice on issues critical to our industry. The day will conclude with a Ports and Maritime Day Reception at Uptown Grill, co-hosted by WMF and the Washington Public Ports Association.
Maritime Day is a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders, strengthen relationships with policymakers, and ensure maritime priorities are clearly heard in Olympia.
LEARN MORE: http://www.maritimefederation.com/
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.
Notice of Intent: Cascade Renewable Transmission Project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, has issued a 30-day public notice (January 5–February 4, 2026) announcing its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Cascade Renewable Transmission Project.
As the lead federal agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), USACE determined the project may have significant environmental impacts. The EIS will examine potential environmental, ecological, cultural, economic, social, aesthetic, and health effects, along with reasonable alternatives.
This notice begins the NEPA scoping period, during which agencies, tribes, organizations, and the public are invited to submit comments, relevant studies, and suggestions on issues and impacts that should be analyzed.
Virtual Public Scoping Meetings
USACE will host two virtual scoping meetings to accept public input:
January 28, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Join meeting online at: Join the meeting now
Phone: 601-262-2433
Conference ID: 586 938 06#
January 29, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Join meeting online at: Join the meeting now
Phone: 601-262-2433
Conference ID: 128 989 315#
Public notices may also be viewed on the Portland District website at: http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Notices.aspx
Corps Reissues Nationwide Permits
As PNWA previously reported, approximately every five years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reissues or modifies the nationwide permits to authorize various activities under the Clean Water Act Section 404 and the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 Section 10. On January 8, 2026 the Corps announced the reissuance of 56 nationwide permits, the issuance of a new nationwide permit, as well as general conditions. The 2021 versions will expire and the new nationwide permits and general conditions will go into effect March 15, 2026. The information
about the Nationwide Permits, General Conditions, Definitions, and the comparison summary chart can be found here.
In addition to general conditions, Corps Districts and Divisions will also be working on regional conditions intended to ensure the nationwide permits authorize activities with minimal environmental effects. Corps Districts and Divisions will also evaluate which Coastal Zone Management Act conditions will need to be incorporated into the nationwide permits through regional conditions to ensure consistency/concurrence.
To read the announcement and review documents and comments, click here.
USACE on Interim Leadership Appointment, Liza Wells
PNWA congratulates Elizabeth (Liza) Wells on her temporary detail as Interim Regional Engineering and Business Director (Northwestern Division) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, effective January 12, 2026.
Ms. Wells brings more than 15 years of experience with the Portland District, where she has held several senior leadership roles across engineering, hydraulics, and project management. Most recently serving as Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management and Senior Civilian, she has overseen planning, design, and construction of major civil works projects, including dams, navigation locks, flood risk management, marine structures, and fish passage facilities.
USACE on Interim Leadership Appointment, Pete Dickerson
PNWA congratulates Pete Dickerson on his appointment as Acting Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management (DPM) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District.
Mr. Dickerson brings nearly three decades of experience with USACE, having begun his career at the Portland District in 1995. His background includes senior engineering and management roles spanning hydraulic and river engineering, floodplain management, operations and maintenance, and international experience in Germany. More recently, he has served in the Northwestern Division, leading work on major Columbia River issues, including the Columbia River Treaty, NEPA, ESA, and related litigation.
With deep technical expertise and a strong understanding of the Columbia River system, Mr. Dickerson is well positioned to support continued project delivery and mission success at the Portland District. PNWA congratulates Pete on this appointment and welcomes him back to the Portland District team.
Blue Economy Workforce Development Conference
Taking place May 8, 2026, at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon, the Blue Economy Workforce Development Conference brings together leaders from academia, government agencies, and industry to strengthen collaboration across Oregon and southern Washington’s coastal and maritime sectors.
This one-day event focuses on aligning education and training programs with the evolving needs of Blue Economy employers. Through breakout sessions and collaborative discussions, participants will explore emerging job opportunities, identify in-demand skills and technologies, examine opportunities to modernize curricula, and build lasting partnerships that support workforce growth.
Organizations involved in hiring, training, or expanding their Blue Economy workforce are encouraged to participate.
Learn more and register