Project Description:
Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE) proposes to place fill material in order to perform repairs to the Miller Sands Rice Island Pile Dike System (MRPDS), located between river mile (RM) 22 and 26 of the Lower Columbia River (LCR) for the purpose of maintaining the congressionally authorized channel dimensions of the LCR Federal Navigation Channel (FNC), part of the Columbia and Lower Willamette Rivers (C&LW) Project.
The MRPDS was constructed over several phases beginning in 1922, continuing in 1927, 1934, and again in 1966. This pile dike system is one component of USACE’s LCR project that, when coupled with routine maintenance dredging of the Mouth of the Columbia River (MCR) and LCR FNC, provides reliable deep-draft vessel navigation. The MRPDS consists of seven pile dikes on the Columbia River at RM 22.75, 23.07, 23.39, 23.67, 23.71, 23.81, and 24.63. The MRPDS is deteriorating and is currently not performing its designed function.
The intent of MRPDS repairs is to maintain the CR FNC to its authorized dimensions, reduce shoaling, prevent migration of the channel northward and reduce the need for maintenance and emergency dredging in the Miller-Sands Reach of the FNC using the alternative that represents the least cost consistent with sound engineering practices and meeting the environmental standards established by the CWA 404(b)(1) evaluation process. Proposed fill placement will reduce the need for pile dike maintenance over the anticipated fifty-year lifespan of the structure. USACE proposes to repair three pile dikes (PD) with rock placement, connect two PDs with additional enrockment and install 8 hazard marker piles.
Congress has authorized USACE to construct and improve Federal navigation projects over time to provide safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems for the movement of commerce, national security needs, and recreation.
Environmental Document: USACE has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Proposed Action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. §§ 4331, and in accordance with the Department of Defense National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (June 30, 2025).
The Draft EA is available at the USACE Digital Library here: https:// usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/29092
Public Comment Period:
The Draft EA will be available for public comment for 30 days after the date of this public notice. The public comment period is intended to provide those interested in or affected by this action an opportunity to make their concerns or comments known.
Comment Submittal: Please submit written comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District by June 11th, 2026. Written comments may be sent via email to Duncan Newberry, Environmental Resources Branch at duncan.s.newberry@usace.army.mil, or to the mailing address below:
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District
Attn: CENWP-PME-E / Duncan Newberry
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, Oregon 97208-2946
Mailed comments on this notice must be postmarked by the above expiration date. In your response, please refer to the above public notice title and date. Any responses received after the above expiration date will not be considered.
Questions or comments regarding the draft EA can also be directed to Duncan Newberry by calling (541) 968-1387 or email at duncan.s.newberry@usace.army.mil.
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Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) proposes to discharge fill material when repairing the Miller Sands-Rice Island pile dike system (MRPDS) in the Lower Columbia River (LCR), part of the Columbia and Lower Willamette Rivers (C&LW) Project. This public notice is required by the provisions of section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA).
The purpose of the project is to repair the deteriorating MRPDS consistent with sound engineering practices and meet the environmental standards established by the CWA 404(b)(1) evaluation process.
Congress has authorized USACE to construct and improve Federal navigation projects over time to provide safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems for the movement of commerce, national security needs, and recreation.
Project Description
USACE proposes to modify and enhance three of the existing pile dike enrockments (pile dikes 23.71, 23.81 and 24.63) by removing the remaining degraded timber piles, spreaders and hardware as necessary and raising the existing enrockment crest elevation with additional rock to better direct and train flow within the FNC. In addition to these existing dike enhancements, the Preferred Alternative includes modifying the connection existing at pile dike 23.71 and pile dike 23.81, as well as enhancing the pile dike at 24.63. No modifications are proposed at pile dikes 22.75, 23.07, 23.39 and 23.67. This action also includes construction of eight new Aids to Navigation (ATONs)/Fixed Isolated Danger (Submerged hazard) Markers to designate the location of the submerged dike and enrockments.
Construction will begin with demolition of existing piles, spreaders, and hardware from pile dikes 23.71, 23.81, and 24.63. The existing piles will be removed during the in-water work window (November through February). Because enrockment repair will occur in the same locations as these existing pile dikes, demolition activity will occur right before the placement of the enhanced enrockment at the same dike. This repair does not require construction of any permanent or temporary shoreside or upland elements such as dike-shore connections or shoreline revetment or protection.
Information is available in Miller Sands-Rice Island Pile Dike Repairs Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) which may be downloaded from https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/29092
Project Schedule
Implementation of the MRPD system repairs is scheduled to begin in 2027 during the in-water work window.
Project Location
The project occurs in the Lower Columbia River in unincorporated Wahkiakum County, Washington.
Agency and Public Involvement
The Corps has made a preliminary determination that there will be no significant impacts to the human environment warranting the preparation of an environmental impact statement. The EA describes potential effects, as well as conservation measures and best management practices to be implemented to avoid significant adverse effects.
The content of this public notice fulfills the public notice requirements for discharges of dredged or fill material associated with Corps Civil Works operations and maintenance activities found in 33 C.F.R. § 337.1. Any person who has an interest which may be affected by the disposal of this dredged material may request a public hearing. The request must be submitted in writing to the district engineer within the comment period of this notice and must clearly set forth the interest which may be affected and the manner in which the interest may be affected by this activity.
At the end of the 30-day public comment period for this public notification of proposed discharges under section 404 of the CWA, USACE will consider all comments received or post marked by the expiration date of June 11th, 2026
Environmental Coordination
USACE is coordinating the proposed activity with multiple Federal and state agencies which include:
• National Marine Fisheries Service
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
• Oregon State Historic Preservation Office
• Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
• Washington Department of Ecology
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
The decision whether to discharge dredged or fill material will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act
USACE has submitted a certification request to the Washington Department of Ecology for the proposed project. Certification, certification with conditions, or denial would occur prior to the agency official signing the final NEPA decision. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act USACE initiated Section 106 consultation by sending letters for the USACE-determined APE, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 800.4(a)(1), to Washington DAHP, Oregon SHPO, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Nez Perce Tribe on April 12th , 2022. DAHP and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon concurred with the APE determination in official responses dated April 21st and May 17th, 2022, respectively. No comments or responses concerning the project or APE determination have been received from the other consulting parties to date.
USACE has determined that MRPDS is not eligible for listing in the NRHP individually or as a contributing element to the LCR Nav Historic District. Consultation letters were sent to the Washington DAHP (2022 03-01969), Oregon SHPO (SHPO Project 22-0729), and the Tribes on March 16, 2026, with the determination of eligibility documentation for the MRPDS and finding of effect. On April 13, 2026, Washington DAHP and on April 14, 2026, Oregon SHPO concurred with USACE’s not eligible determination for MRPDS and find of effect. No additional comments were received during the consultation period.
Endangered Species Act
USACE has consulted with NMFS and USFWS on the effects of the Proposed Action on ESA-listed species that occur and may in the proposed project area. USACE consulted with NMFS under Section 7 of ESA and submitted a BA on December 12th, 2024, and received a Biological Opinion (BiOp) on March 19th, 2026. All terms and conditions for implementing RPMs in the Incidental Take Statement, resulting from this consultation, will be carried out to minimize take of endangered species and avoid jeopardizing the species. USACE submitted a BA to USFWS and is in informal consultation with USFWS. USACE will complete informal consultation and obtain a Letter of Concurrence prior to the final NEPA decision.
Coastal Zone Management Act
USACE will prepare and submit a consistency determination to Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and Washington Department of Ecology. USACE has determined the Proposed Action is fully consistent with the Enforceable Policies (EPs) of both Washington State and Oregon. Effects to the Washington State Coastal Zone will be limited to short-term increases in turbidity during construction, increased noise disturbance wo wildlife during pile driving and a minor conversion of benthic substrate from sand to rock due to the increased footprint of the pile dikes. Effects to the Oregon Coastal Zone will be limited to potential minor increases in turbidity and increased noise disturbance to wildlife during construction. Effects to water quality during construction will be minimized through the use of Best Management Practices.
In the long term, the Proposed Action is anticipated to maintain the existing hydrology in the Miller Sands Reach of the LCR and reduce the need for future dredging to maintain the FNC, while protecting the existing shallow-water habitats downstream of the pile dikes. Over the lifespan of the structure, it is anticipated to improve navigation, supporting both the local and regional economies. Therefore, the Proposed Action is not anticipated to have any long-term adverse impacts on human uses of the coastal zone in either state. The consistency determination will be submitted to these state agencies at least 90 days prior to when the agency official will sign the final NEPA decision.
Additional Information and Comments
Additional information and links to download the draft EA can be found at https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/29092 .
Questions and comments regarding this public notice can be emailed to duncan.d.newberry@usace.army.mil. Please add “Miller Rice-Sand Island Pile Dike Repair Clean Water Act” to the subject line.
Or, you may call (541) 968-1387.
Mailed comments on this notice must be postmarked by the above expiration date and sent to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
Attn: CENWP-PME
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, OR 97208-2946
In your response, please refer to the above public notice title and date. Should no response be received by the above closing date, a “no comment” response will be assumed.
Questions of comments regarding the draft EA can also be directed to Duncan Newberry by calling (541) 968-1387 or email at Duncan.s.newberry@usace.army.mil