News Release
| Release Number: | 04-233 |
| Dated: | 12/28/2004 |
| Contact: | Diana J. Fredlund, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit request from the Port of Astoria to remove a failing bulkhead in the Columbia River at Astoria, Ore.
If approved, the permit would allow the port to remove the bulkhead at River Mile 13, stabilize the bank, insert 150 steel pipe piles and place a concrete dock on top of the pilings, which would allow for pile-supported development along the waterfront. About 8,400 cubic yards of material would be removed from behind the existing bulkhead with a track-hoe operated from the shore. Two 100-ton bollards, or thick posts, will be removed from the bulkhead and replaced by a six-pile steel dolphin with a 10-foot by 10-foot concrete cap.
As compensatory mitigation for the proposed project, the applicant is proposing to replace antiquated cast iron tide gates in Vera Slough along Youngs Bay. The old tide gates would be replaced by a slide-style type gate to create fish passage, which is currently limited by the old gates. The applicant's mitigation plan will be considered. If a permit is issued, the Corps will decide on the appropriate and practicable compensatory mitigation.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project before making its decision.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2004-00832, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Karla Ellis), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4377. 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/2004/200400832.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Jan. 27, 2005, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Karla.G.Ellis@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.
The Corps will evaluate the permit request under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, for work in or affecting navigable waters of the United States, and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for discharge of dredged or fill material into 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.