I advocated this over a year ago, pointing out that there is less paranoia about coal dust east of the Cascades (aka the conservative part of the PNW). I also believe that the barge lines may lose some of the Inland Empire grain haulage with the opening of the McCoy shuttle loader, so the coal traffic may just balance things out rather than really adding to barge traffic in the Gorge. The PNW is the perfect template for experimenting in multi-modal freight transportation, and this proposal is just one example.

But those poor wind surfers ...... whatever will they do with their time if they can't wind surf all day long due to the clogging of barges?

Perhaps get a job?