News Release
| Release Number: | 01-110 |
| Dated: | 7/25/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a 5-year permit application from the Port of Portland to conduct annual maintenance dredging of berths at Terminal 2 on the Willamette River at river mile 10 in Portland, Ore. The purpose of the work is to maintain required depths for terminal use.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public comment on the proposed project prior to making its determination on whether to issue a permit for the work.
The project at N.W. Front Avenue involves removing sediments by clamshell dredge at four separate berths. Berth 203 would be maintained to depth -20 feet; berths 204, 205 and 206 would be maintained to a depth of -40 feet. The different depths are based on the types of vessels that use each berth. The port estimates that up to 25,000 cubic yards of material would be removed each year for five years. The removed material would be transported by barge to the port's Suttle Road Dredged Material Rehandle facility for subsequent use at other locations as fill or disposal. Sediment testing is being conducted to ensure the material is safe for removal and disposal.
The Corps will consider whether the proposed project meets standards of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act for work in or affecting navigable waters and of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for discharge of dredged or fill material placed into waters of the U.S.
Preliminary determinations indicate that the described activity will come under the Endangered Species Act and will require consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. A permit will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is completed.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2001-00688, which describes the proposed project in detail (including drawings in support of the proposed project), please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore. 97208-2946. A copy of the public notice also is posted on the Corps' Internet site at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200100688.pdf.
Written comments should reach the Corps by Aug. 9, 2001, and should be mailedto U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore. 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to Judy.L.Linton@usace.army.mil.
The Corps is soliciting comments from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Native American tribes, and other interested parties.