The Port of Woodland owns 200 acres of prime heavy industrial property located on the banks of the Columbia River. Austin Point, the southernmost parcel and seven miles from Interstate 5, has the potential to be a port for Panamex ocean shipping-sized ships. The area is zoned for industrial use and is located within Cowlitz County. Development of this site has been considered since its original purchase in 1963. Additional land for a rail loop was purchased in 1977.

In 2019, the Port Commissioners voted to start exploring the development of the property. Two feasibility studies are currently underway. One study is looking at the economic potential and waterfront infrastructure necessary for developing a shipping terminal at Austin Point and the other study is looking at the infrastructure that will be needed to support that waterfront facility. These studies will help the Port Commission determine if developing the area is a good investment.

In 2022, the studies conducted two open houses to provide information and gain input from the community. Check out the website summaries below to see the progress.

May 2022 Open House

Fall 22 Open House Website Summary

How many ships might come to through the port each year?

We anticipate 100-150 vessel calls per year to total 9-12 million tons annual export. This would not likely be all new vessel calls to the Columbia River system, but mostly relocated calls from another location.

What about public river access?

The Port of Woodland is committed to enhancing public access in the area and recognizes its significance to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the local fishing community. Draft plans for public access can be found in the September 2022 Open House. You can also provide further input by sending an email to AustinPoint@portofwoodland.com and participating in future events.

The Port of Woodland has completed the first phase of the Austin Point Marine Terminal Project. This includes the following elements: Rail, Dock, Public Access/Recreation and Mitigation and Habitat.  The next steps for the project will take the entire project, which had been split into those categories into one project moving forward to a 30% design and engineering completion.  The 30% design and engineering scope of work will include advancing many of the below assessments to complete studies, or to a completed design to engineering phase. In addition, advanced public access and mitigation/habitat work will be moved beyond a 30% completion. Additional rail studies as well as road and overpass work will continue as prior road configurations were not moved forward due to the impact to adjacent property owners. Alternative measures to transportation flow will be considered with the efforts between the City of Woodland and Cowlitz County as Woodland Bottoms planning begins.

Below is a list of documents that have been produced as part of the first phase at a 10% conceptual basis.

• Executive Summary
• Conceptual Site Plan and Existing Conditions Plan
• Market Analysis
• Austin Point Phase I ESA
• Environmental Report
• Preliminary Geotechnical Assessment
• Preliminary Dredging and Hydrodynamics
• Preliminary Resiliency Analysis
• Preliminary Marine Structures Assessment
• Preliminary Transportation Review
• Preliminary Utility Assessment
• Preliminary Stormwater Assessment
• Preliminary Power and Comm Assessment
• Public Engagement and Public Access Summary
• Preliminary Permitting Assessment
• Conceptual Cost Estimate
• Austin Point Main Loop Rail Design
• Mitigation and Habitat Area Existing Conditions
• Austin Point Advanced Mitigation Memo
• Austin Point Mitigation and Habitat Preliminary Figure Set

Austin Point Development Goals:

The Port of Woodland has an opportunity to grow, and we want to do so in a way that supports the community. The feasibility studies will explore development options that

• Help the Port become self-sustaining over time, eventually eliminating the Port tax across the district.
• Create jobs and help diversify the economy in the region.
• Improve recreation opportunities.
• Improve public access to the river.
• Build infrastructure to connect the future portside development to the BNSF rail line.

Austin Point Development Process

The feasibility studies are underway, and community input is a priority.  This is the first step in a multi-year process. There is still opportunities for you to learn more and provide input to help determine what feasible development might be, so please stay tuned for updates.

Commitment to the Public

The Port welcomes opportunities not tied to fossil fuels and is committed to responsible development and enhancing public access to the river. The Port Commission has identified commodities that would and would not be considered at the Port’s marine properties. Resolution 448 Commodities details the commodity types under consideration.

The Port of Woodland has two properties along the Columbia River that allow public access for recreational use at no cost. Signs located at each property of Martin Bar and Austin Point indicate vehicle access areas, pedestrian access areas and areas with no public access.

During holiday periods of Memorial Day, Fourth of July  and Veterans Day as well as New Years at Austin Point will be further limited to provide safety for those accessing the area- vehicle access is limited and barricades and gates will be erected to limit vehicles accessing the area.

Map of public access areas