Posted on August 17, 2026
Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE) proposes to perform maintenance dredging of the Yaquina River Federal Navigation Channel (FNC) from river mile (RM) 4+20 to RM 14+20 to authorized dimensions by removing shoals that have formed in the FNC. Dredged material would be transported for disposal to one of two existing ocean dredge material disposal sites (ODMDSs) near the mouth of Yaquina Bay.
Project Description
Under the Proposed Action, USACE proposes maintenance dredging of the Yaquina River FNC from RM 4+20 to RM 14+20 to remove shoals that have formed in the river and maintain the FNC to authorized channel depths and widths between Yaquina Bay and Toledo, Oregon. USACE performs ongoing maintenance dredging in Yaquina Bay entrance and harbor (below RM 4+20), the turning basin, the South Beach Marina access channel, and Depot Slough. The FNC above RM 4+20 has not been maintained in over 40 years. Within the channel, dredging would occur in locations where shoals have developed since the previous dredging work and as needed to maintain authorized depth and width of the FNC.
The initial dredging event is expected to remove up to 850,000 cy of material to reach the authorized depth. Approximately 7,000 cy per day will need to be dredged to complete the initial event. Following the initial dredging event, removal of up to 400,000 cy in a subsequent (likely non-consecutive) year would be expected during the channel equilibration phase. Approximately 3,300 cy of material per day would be dredged during these events. After the channel equilibrates, USACE anticipates a maintenance dredge volume of up to 250,000 cy every five to eight years.
Dredged material will be disposed of at two existing ODMDSs. The Yaquina North and South ODMDSs were designated by the EPA in 2012 for long-term use for dredged material placement. The ODMDSs are located approximately two nautical miles offshore of Newport, Oregon. The ODMDSs have previously been used for material disposal during operations and maintenance dredging for the Yaquina Bay Federal Navigation Project. Dredged material will be transported to the ODMDSs by dumping scow(s) towed by ocean-going tugboats. USACE prepared a Section 102(a) evaluation and determined the disposal complies with Section 102(a) of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) evaluation criteria.
USACE has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed action in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations found at 42 U.S.C. §§ 4331. USACE has made a preliminary determination that the effects of the proposed action would not be significant, and that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not warranted. Following public review, USACE will make a final determination on whether to make a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or prepare an EIS.
Environmental Document: The draft EA is available at the USACE Digital Library here.
Public Comment Period: The draft EA will be available for public comment for 15 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. Written comments may be sent via email to Kellen Smith, Environmental Resources Branch, at kellen.a.smith@usace.army.mil, or to the mailing address below:
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District
Attn: CENWP-PME-E / Kellen Smith
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 Kellen Smith by calling (503) 808-4278 or email at kellen.a.smith@usace.army.mil.
