News Release
| Release Number: | 99-089 |
| Dated: | 10/6/1999 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from a manufacturing company that wants authorization to build a plant near Rainier, 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, modify or deny a permit for the work.
U.S. Gypsum, Inc., of Chicago, Ill., wants to establish a 112-acre wallboard manufacturing plant to service the West Coast on the left bank of the Columbia River at mile 65.5 near Rainier, Ore. The project elements, if permitted, would impact about a one-half acre of wetlands and temporarily impact another 5.3 acres of wetlands for a utility line.
In addition to the buildings, the manufacturing plant would include a 13-mile natural gas pipeline, which would cross 18 drainages and 18 wetlands. The applicant's plan also calls for dredging an area adjacent to the dock to a depth of 40 feet to match the depth of the navigation channel. U.S. Gypsum, Inc., is planning to remove about 147,000 cubic yards from a 478,000 square-foot area. About 100 linear feet of rip-rap would be placed along the existing bankline next to the dock
For a copy of the Corps of Engineers' Public Notice, which describes the proposed project in detail, please call Teena Monical at (503) 808-4384, or access the notice off the Corps' Internet site at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/Regs/Pub_bull.htm.
Written comments should reach the Corps offices by Oct. 14, 1999, and should be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Teena Monical), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208-2946. Comments also may be sent via e-mail to teena.g.monical@usace.army.mil.
The Corps also is soliciting input from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Indian 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 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
A Water Quality Certification, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, also will be needed from the State.