VANCOUVER, WA — The Inland Ports and Navigation Group (IPNG) has expressed opposition to a recent preliminary injunction request filed by the National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) and the State of Oregon, which seeks to increase spill operations at eight Lower Snake River and Columbia River dams and alter reservoir operations.

According to a statement released Wednesday, IPNG leaders say such operational changes would harm navigation, agriculture, and the economy of communities that depend on river transport. “This injunction is short sighted; increasing spill comes at an incredibly steep cost to navigation, freight movement, agriculture and the communities dependent on this river system,” said Executive Director Neil Maunu.

The group argues that higher spill levels create unpredictable river conditions, threatening the safety of barge and cruise operations and potentially disrupting freight movement. Co-chair Patrick Harbison added that moving goods off the river could increase greenhouse gas emissions and highway congestion. “We cannot afford risking safety to life, pitting fish against farmers or the climate against transportation,” Harbison said.

IPNG maintains that plaintiffs are forcing trade-offs between safety, reliability, and environmental concerns on a system that already supports strong fish survival rates. The organization stated it intends to continue defending the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Biological Opinion and Record of Decision, emphasizing its commitment to a balanced approach that considers all stakeholders.