Clatsop County hears Port, state and federal officials on Columbia River dredge disposal plan; hearings continued to Oct. 8

Clatsop County staff and the Port of Portland presented technical findings and proposed land‑use changes tied to the Army Corps of Engineers’ Lower Columbia River Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) and opened the first of multiple public hearings before the board.

Community Development Director Gail Henriksen told the board the DMMP applicants seek goal‑16 exceptions to allow in‑water placement and transfer of dredged material at sites currently designated conservation or natural under the county’s estuary plan. Henriksen said the county and state Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) worked with the Corps through a months‑long review and that staff recommends allowing the exceptions with detailed conditions and monitoring requirements.

“As part of that process of reviewing the environmental impact statement, we identified several sites for…