News Release
| Release Number: | 00-152 |
| Dated: | 8/25/2000 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed to renew discussions over the Columbia River Channel Improvements Project. On Aug. 25, the NMFS withdrew a biological opinion it signed late last year because the two agencies had not reached agreement on needed studies and because of new biological information.
The objective of the biological opinion, issued in December 1999, was to determine whether proposed deepening of the federal navigation channel would jeopardize the 13 salmonid species listed, or proposed for listing, under the Endangered Species Act, or if it would adversely effect their critical habitat.
In the new consultation, the Corps and NMFS will agree up front on needed studies and will evaluate the new information to assure the project won't harm the recovery of ESA-listed stocks. Because the agencies have not agreed on the appropriate design of needed studies, baseline work was not begun in 2000. In addition, since NMFS issued the biological opinion, NMFS' Northwest Fisheries Science Center has completed further studies on the effects of flow and the configuration of the estuary bottom as it relates to shallow-water habitat. These shallow-water habitats play a key role in the estuary's ability to support fish. There is also new information which suggests that salmon may be susceptible to a wider range of impacts from certain contaminants. Impacts may include reduced growth and impaired disease resistance. Both of these new pieces of information need to be carefully considered to be sure they don't have an adverse impact on salmon.
"In the new consultation, we will work closely with the Corps to reach agreement on the specific details and schedule of required studies and monitoring, thoroughly assess the implications of any relevant new information, clarify expectations for the completion of restoration work and make any necessary refinements in the conservation measures," said Brian Gorman, NMFS spokesman.
"The Corps agrees with this cautious approach and is committed to work with NMFS to assure there will not be any impact to the ESA-listed stocks," said Laura Hicks, project manager for the Corps' deepening project.
A biological opinion will be reissued once the fisheries service and Corps agree on the required studies and measures needed to ensure the project does not harm the recovery of ESA-listed fish. A fisheries service biological opinion is needed whenever any proposed federal action might adversely affect species protected under the endangered Species Act.
The Channel Improvement Project, which recommends deepening the 40-foot federal navigation channel by three feet from Portland to the ocean, includes environmental restoration. The Corps' Biological Assessment as amended in December 1999 identified no significant habitat impacts as part of the channel improvement project.
Congress, which authorized the project during its 1999 session, must still appropriate funds for the construction work.
The estimated cost of the proposed 43-foot channel, including $4.9 million for environmental restoration of wetland and riparian habitat restoration at Shillapoo Lake, Wash., is about $188 million.