Public Notice
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Lower Columbia River Channel Maintenance Plan and Final Integrated Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP)
Issue Date: May 1, 2026
Expiration Date: May 30, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Lower Columbia River Channel Maintenance Plan and Final Integrated Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP), prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Notice of Availability for the Final EIS is published in the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/01/2026-08520/environmental-impact-statements-notice-of-availability . The Final EIS is available for public review on the USACE Portland District website at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/lcrchannelmaintenance/ .
In accordance with NEPA, USACE will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 30 days after publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. This 30-day period is a waiting period that allows time for review of the Final EIS prior to a final decision. This notice is for informational purposes only and does not open a public comment period.
Maintenance dredging of the LCR FNC is conducted annually to reduce impediments to navigation and maintain authorized channel dimensions, including advanced maintenance dredging. The Final EIS evaluated a 20-year framework for managing dredged material using placement and disposal alternatives that are cost-effective, consistent with sound engineering practices, and compliant with environmental standards. A key component of the plan is the beneficial use of dredged material, with sediment placed within the Columbia River system to the greatest extent practicable to support shoreline stability, habitat, and other beneficial uses, while minimizing reliance on ocean disposal.
USACE has identified and evaluated placement of dredged material at in-water deep and shallow sites, confined aquatic facilities, upland placement areas, shoreline (including beach nourishment) sites, and temporary in-water transfer sites. Ocean placement at the Deep Water Site Ocean dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) was evaluated and is used only when necessary. The forecasted average annual dredging volume is approximately 9.2 million cubic yards, with an estimated total of 184 million cubic yards over 20 years. Dredged material consists predominantly of clean sand and has been determined suitable for unconfined aquatic placement based on long-term sediment characterization and regional evaluation guidance.
The project area extends along the Lower Columbia River Federal Navigation Channel from River Mile (RM) 105.5 near Vancouver, Washington, to the Mouth of the Columbia River at RM 3, including the transit corridor to the Deep Water Site ocean disposal site located approximately six miles offshore.
Additional information about the project is available on the USACE Portland District website listed above.