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Habitat Committee urges council to prepare comments if Coos Bay port project NOI is published
Summary
The Habitat Committee recommended the council task HC to draft comments on the Port of Coos Bay Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project channel‑modification notice of intent, citing potential impacts to estuary and freshwater habitat and salmon streams.
The council received a supplemental Habitat Committee report outlining issues and recommending the HC draft comments if a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Coos Bay Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project (PCIP) is published. The PCIP would modify the federal navigation channel (widen/deepen), build turning basins and create new ocean disposal sites near the mouth of Coos Bay and upgrade roughly 115 miles of rail line that could intercept several salmon‑bearing streams.
Scott Hapelle presented the HC recommendation and noted the NOI is expected in December 2025. The Habitat Committee recommended using the council's quick response procedure should a scoping request be published soon and suggested the draft comments ask that the draft EIS evaluate impacts to estuary and freshwater habitats for FMP species and consider alternatives of least impact.
HC report also summarized federal and regional issues: BOEM's revised five‑year OCS leasing program, Corps nationwide permit revisions (including proposed new NWPs and lowered thresholds), and the rescision of the Resilient Columbia River Basin Agreement and its budget implications.
Why it matters: If the PCIP NOI proceeds, dredging, disposal, and rail upgrades could have direct impacts on salmon habitat; HC flagged the council's opportunity to request careful EIS scoping and evaluation of habitat consequences.
