News Release
| Release Number: | 99-113 |
| Dated: | 12/27/1999 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Ramer Holtan to construct a light-industrial park, including buildings and a street, east of Blue Lake Road and south of NE Marine Drive in Troutdale, Ore. 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 or deny a permit for the work.
Ramer Holton is seeking authorization to fill 1.12 acres of wetlands to construct an industrial park to meet current market demands. That park would include four buildings, each with vehicle access, and a city street. If the construction occurs, about half an acre of emergent wetlands and just more than half an acre of drainage ditches would be impacted.
As part of its evaluation process, the Corps will determine whether or not mitigation is required to compensate for the impact to wetlands. To offset any damages to the environment, the applicant has proposed enhancing 0.98 acre of existing wetland and creating an additional 1.21 acres of wetlands, on site, connecting to existing wetlands. A variety of emergent and scrub-shrub plants would be planted in the enhanced and created wetlands.
If this work is permitted, the applicant would be required to adhere to the following special conditions: seed, sod or revegetate all areas along the bank that were disturbed or newly created by construction activity; work to minimize turbidity in the waterway; and suspend or modify construction activity if it is adversely affecting fish or wildlife or their harvest.
For a copy of the Corps of Engineers' Public Notice, which describes the proposed project in detail, please call Judy Linton, (503) 808-4382, or access the notice on the Corps' Internet site at
http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/Regs/Pub_bull.htm. Photocopied maps and drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments should reach the Corps by Jan. 19, 2000, and should be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Comments also may be sent via e-mail to judy.l.linton@usace.army.mil.
The Corps also is soliciting comments from federal, state and local agencies and officials, American Indian tribes, and other interested parties.
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.