Columbia River Dredging Plans on the Table

The USACE is seeking comments on a proposal by Millennium Bulk Terminals – Longview LLC (MBTL) to construct and operate a shipping terminal to export coal at the site of a former Reynolds Aluminum smelter in Cowlitz County, near Longview, Washington. 

MBTL proposes to construct and operate a terminal on a 190-acre site it currently leases.

The terminal would receive trains containing coal mined in western states and transfer the coal into ocean-going vessels for export to Asia.

The proposed export terminal would consist of one operating rail track, an eight-track rail loop to store up to eight unit trains, rail car unloading facilities, a coal stockpile area, conveyor facilities, and two new docks with independent ship loaders.

MBTL proposes to dredge up to 48 acres in the Columbia River to provide access to the Columbia River navigation channel and berthing for Panamax-class vessels at the new docks.

At full operation, the export terminal would handle up to 44 million metric tons of coal annually.

Comments will be accepted through November 29, 2016.

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