News Release
| Release Number: | 00-075 |
| Dated: | 5/10/2000 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from GSL Homes requesting authorization to fill nearly one-half an acre of wetlands near Johnson Creek between Powell Boulevard and Division Street, just east of 182nd Ave., in Gresham, Ore.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project prior to making its determination on whether to issue or deny a permit for the work.
GSL Homes is requesting the fill permit to construct a water quality facility, a pedestrian and emergency vehicle road and six lots of a 54-lot subdivision. If the Corps permits the work, GSL has proposed to mitigate for the wetland impacts by enhancing 2.2 acres of existing wetlands dominated by canarygrass. As part of its evaluation process, the Corps will determine whether this mitigation proposal is adequate to replace the filled wetlands.
For a copy of the Corps of Engineers' Public Notice, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208-2946. A copy of the public notice also is on the Corps' Internet site at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200000257.pdf. Written comments should reach the Corps offices by June 5, 2000, and should be mailed to the address above or sent by e-mail to judy.l.linton@usace.army.mil.
The Corps also is soliciting input from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Native American tribes and other interested parties to help permit reviewers consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed project on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors.
The Corps will issue or deny the permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. A Water Quality Certification, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, will be needed from the State. Also, because fish species listed under the Endangered Species Act are in Johnson Creek, the Corps will enter into consultation with the National Marines Fisheries Service. A permit will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is completed.