A large “renewable” fuels refinery is being proposed at Port Westward near Clatskanie, and federal agencies are currently reviewing its potential impacts.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed NEXT Renewable Fuels refinery at Port Westward is now open for public comment through April 20, 2026.
This page brings together key resources — including summaries, comment guides, and technical materials — to help community members understand the proposal and participate in the federal review process.
Why this matters
Community members are reviewing how this proposed refinery could affect farmland, drainage, wetlands, flood risk, infrastructure, and the long-term health of this working landscape.
This public comment period is one of the most important opportunities for community members to weigh in on how this project could shape the future of this landscape.
What’s Being Proposed
The proposed refinery is being developed by NEXT Renewable Fuels. Project materials provided by the company describe the facility as producing “renewable” diesel fuel and highlight potential economic benefits, including construction and operational jobs and increased local tax revenue associated with industrial development at Port Westward.
The facility is proposed to produce up to approximately 50,000 barrels of fuel per day and would include pipelines, storage tanks, natural gas–fired refinery systems, marine shipping infrastructure along the Columbia River, and a rail yard. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement also anticipates increased rail traffic associated with operations, including an average of more than 300 railcars per week moving through existing rail corridors in the region. The DEIS evaluates air emissions from the facility, including greenhouse gases and other pollutants typical of large-scale fuel processing operations.
The proposal is part of a broader conversation in the region about how industrial development, agriculture, and natural resource systems coexist within a shared landscape — particularly in areas where land use, water management, and infrastructure are closely interconnected.
Under federal law, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must determine whether the project is in the public interest. Farmers, fishers, and other reviewers participating in the process — along with organizations such as Columbia Riverkeeper — have raised questions about whether the impacts described in the DEIS meet that standard.
Submit a Comment
📧 nexteis@usace.army.mil
Reference: Project NWP-2020-383
🗓 Deadline: April 20, 2026
Public Hearings (Virtual)
April 1, 2026: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Join meeting online at: Join the meeting now
Join by phone at: 503-207-9433; Phone conference ID: 879 632 239#
April 2, 2026: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Join meeting online at: Join the meeting now
Join by phone at: 503-207-9433; Phone conference ID: 315 295 365#
We will be hosting these virtual hearings at the Clatskanie Food Hub for those who would like a place to listen or participate.
Please bring your own device if you plan to provide public comment.
You do not need to read the full DEIS to participate. Even a short comment based on your experience can be meaningful.
personal experience with flooding, drainage, farming, fishing, or local infrastructure
concerns about specific impacts
requests for the agency to fully evaluate or address those impacts
Start Here
Overview & Comment Resources
A short summary of the topics farmers, fishers, and community members are reviewing in the DEIS, including:
farmland and drainage systems
wetlands and water movement
infrastructure and floodplain conditions
regional food system connections
If you are looking for guidance on how to structure a comment, the following resources may be helpful:
Columbia Riverkeeper Comment Guide
A detailed guide with suggested topics and examples for submitting comments.
Technical & Local Infrastructure Context
Beaver Drainage Improvement Company (BDIC) Comments
The Beaver Drainage Improvement Company manages the levee and drainage system within the project area and has submitted detailed technical comments as part of the federal review.
These comments provide insight into how the floodplain, levee system, and water management infrastructure function across the landscape.
Full DEIS
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
The full DEIS evaluates potential environmental, economic, and community impacts of the proposed refinery.
The document is extensive, but reviewing even small sections or summaries can be helpful.
Additional Context & Actions
Columbia Riverkeeper Action Page
Includes additional background, opportunities to engage, and a petition related to the project.
Local Perspective & Background
The Clatskanie Farmer Collective has also published a summary and background article to help explain the federal review process and how it relates to the local landscape.
This process is meant to capture the lived reality of a place:
the way water moves
the way land holds (or doesn’t)
the way farms function
the way communities rely on what’s already here
And right now, your voice becomes part of that record.
These documents may be updated as additional information becomes available during the review process.
This page is intended as a public resource to support participation in the federal review process and compiles materials from a variety of sources.