News Release
| Release Number: | 97-082 |
| Dated: | 8/4/1997 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- In a move to protect an eroding swim beach at Perkins Peninsula Park at Fern Ridge Lake in the Willamette Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to install two retaining walls at the site.
The Corps prepared an environmental assessment (EA) to address any impacts on the environment this work may have and invites anyone interested to comment on the assessment before Aug. 26. To receive copies of the EA or to make comments, call Lynne Hamilton at (503) 808-4772, or write to District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District, Portland, Attn: CENWP-PE-E, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946.
In 1995, the Corps placed sand on the shoreline to replace sand that washed away. Currents in Fern Ridge Lake and changing lake levels, however, continued to erode the beach line. To correct the problem, the Corps plans to install two rock basket (gabion) retaining walls perpendicular to the shoreline and projecting 50 feet into the water. Large native willow cuttings also would be inserted through the walls to promote thick plant growth. When the willows are established, their coverage is expected to improve the effectiveness of the walls and prevent waves from attacking the shoreline and sand from washing away. Sand that accumulates against the gabions would be removed annually and replaced on the beach.
The Corps did consider other alternatives, including constructing a rock jetty or offshore weighted wave barriers. The retaining wall alternative, however, was the most favored because of its increased effectiveness against the wave action and because it is more cost effective.
The work would be performed during the flood damage reduction season when the lake levels are lower and the shoreline is exposed and dry. There would be no impacts to federally listed threatened or endangered species or sensitive species or cultural resources.
The Corps has requested comments on the EA from a number of federal and state regional agencies in addition to the public. When developing the proposal for the work, the Corps complied with a number of laws, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Clean Water Act and the Cultural Resources acts.