News Release
| Release Number: | 04-146 |
| Dated: | 8/4/2004 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Corps reviews permit request for North Bend drainage ditches
PORTLAND, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from a North Bend resident to remove sediments from drainage ditches that discharge into the North Slough near North Bend, Ore.
The proposed project would involve the removal of up to 10,000 cubic yards (cy) of sediment and organics from 7,000 linear feet of drainage ditches to facilitate proper flow patterns for pastures due to sediment accumulation. Also a failed culvert and tide gate from the southernmost ditch would be replaced with a new plastic culvert and tide gate. The replacement would require removing 40 cy of material and backfilling the area with 27 cy of excavated material.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project prior to making its permit decision.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2003-00603, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GE (Lisa Grudzinski), 2201 North Broadway, Suite C, North Bend, OR 97459 or call (541) 756-5316. A copy of the public notice, including photocopies of supporting drawings, is posted on the Corps' Internet site at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200300603.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Aug. 25, 2004, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Lisa.A.Grudzinski@usace.army.mil. Comments must reference the public notice number.
The Corps also is soliciting input from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Indian Tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity on endangered species, cultural resources, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors.
The Corps will evaluate the permit request under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, for work in or affecting navigable waters of the United States.
A permit will not be issued until the state has concurred with the applicant's certification that the described activity affecting land or water uses in the Coastal Zone complies with State Coastal Zone Management Program, Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, and Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Also, because the proposed project may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat, the Corps will initiate consultation with NOAA Fisheries under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. A permit for the proposed activity will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is complete.
The proposed project is not located on property registered in the latest version of the National Register of Historic Places. This notice has been provided to the State Historic Preservation Office.