Dredging the Columbia River just got easier for marine mammals, for five years

US regulators just approved a plan to dredge the Lower Columbia River for five years, allowing for accidental harm to marine mammals. This means the Army Corps of Engineers can continue its dredging operations while following new rules to minimize impact on local wildlife.

The US Army Corps of Engineers needs to dredge the Columbia River to keep it navigable for shipping. This rule means they can continue those operations for another five years without facing legal challenges for accidentally harming marine mammals. It sets specific conditions and monitoring requirements, which means the dredging can proceed with a clearer path forward.