Court Upholds Columbia River Dredging Project

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the 2003 Final Supplemental Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the US Army Corps of Engineers in connection with a project to deepen the Columbia River navigation channel complies with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The project calls for deepening the channel from its current depth of 40 feet to a new depth of 43 ft. from Mile 3 to Mile 106.5. The project also includes various ecosystem restoration actions. Northwest Environmental Advocates v. National Marine Fisheries Service, No. 05-35806 (9th Cir., August 23, 2006). Source: HK Law