Local farmers drop appeal of permit issued to Next Renewables in Oregon

The Beaver Drainage Improvement Co. passed a resolution Oct. 21 to immediately withdraw an appeal filed against Oregon’s Department of State Lands’ Removal-Fill permit issued to Next Renewables.

The permit was granted by the Oregon Department of State Lands in March and is a key state permit needed to construct and operate a $2 billion renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility and wetland-restoration project proposed for Port Westward in Columbia County, Oregon.

“We are thrilled to learn that the BDIC Board passed a resolution to immediately withdraw their appeal of our DSL Removal-Fill permit,” said Chris Efird, chairperson and CEO of Next. “This is a win for Next, and we look forward to maintaining our positive and collaborative relationship with the BDIC Board of Directors and members.”

With this action, Next has secured its Removal-Fill permit permanently and without objection.

This underpins DSL’s definitive conclusion that “the proposed removal-fill activity is consistent with the protection, conservation, and best use of the water resources of this state” (Christopher Castelli, northern operations manager for Aquatic Resource Management at DSL, March 2022) and that the design of the wetland restoration will not adversely impact the local drainage district.

Securing the Removal-Fill permit without objection also reinforces fundamental environmental considerations currently being reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers as it develops an Environmental Impact Statement.