The Port of Woodland intends to develop farmlands and riparian habitat at the confluence of the Lewis and Columbia rivers, near the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, into a deep-water industrial port and rail loop.
The Columbia River Estuary contains some of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. Why? The large and concentrated supply of nutrients from the convergence of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. Every salmonid in the Columbia River Basin depends on the Estuary. In turn, the Estuary is the linchpin for the region’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous salmon cultures. The Estuary is also home to private and public ports including the public Port of Woodland, which wants to significantly expand its industrial footprint at Austin Point.
For decades, the Port of Woodland has planned to develop farmlands and riparian habitat at the confluence of the Lewis and Columbia rivers, near the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, into a deep-water industrial port and rail loop. The area—known as Austin Point—provides habitat for threatened and endangered species like sandhill cranes, salmon, steelhead, and Columbia white-tailed deer. The area is also home to one of the lower Columbia’s largest heron rookeries.
The development would also eliminate important recreational opportunities: People launch boats and fish from shore in the Columbia and Lewis rivers at Austin Point. The nearby farmland, owned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is used by pheasant hunters and birdwatchers.
Developer: Port of Woodland
Status: On hold.
Media Inquiries: Contact Communications & Marketing Director Liz Terhaar (liz@columbiariverkeeper.org).