News Release
| Release Number: | 97-100 |
| Dated: | 9/18/1997 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- Where are the most productive fishing areas off the mouth of the Columbia River? That's what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needs to know before it selects new off-shore ocean disposal sites.
On Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, individuals who fish off the coast near the mouth of the Columbia River for crabs, bottom fish or other fisheries can provide Corps representatives with information on an informal and one-on-one basis. Information may be provided solely through a questionnaire or through a private discussion with a Corps representative who will be available at the Port of Astoria office, One Port Way, Astoria, Ore., at the following times: Oct. 1 Oct. 2 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 9 a.m.-12 noon 1 p.m.-4 p.m. 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
To help Corps representatives allot enough time for those who prefer private discussions, and to help prevent the need for others to stand in line, the Corps requests participants to call Karen Colebank at the following toll-free number to sign up for one of the four sessions: 1-888-232-4406. One may also request an advanced copy of the questionnaire by calling this number.
All information provided by individual fishers will be kept confidential and used only for the purposes of this particular site selection process.
The sites must be created to accommodate material removed every year from the Columbia River mouth as part of the Corps' dredging and channel maintenance mission. The Corps' goal is to learn where the most productive fishing sites are, as well as where the abundance of resources are, so that it can do its best to avoid those areas when selecting new ocean disposal sites, said Kim Larson, the Corps fishery biologist working on the site selection project.
The Corps is working to identify the best long-term disposal options for the mouth of the Columbia River maintenance dredging. These options also could be used if any work is generated as a result of the Columbia River Channel Improvement Study. The Corps would like to hear from as many people as possible.
Information gathered previously will be combined with information gathered on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 to create a map with a series of transparency overlays depicting important resources, such as fishing grounds and resource areas. Information also is being provided by members of four workgroups representing the fisheries and biological resources, physical processes, navigational concerns, and cultural resources.
After the resource areas have been identified and labeled, each map's transparency will be laid on top of the other. It is hoped that during the site selection meeting-currently scheduled for Oct. 22 and Oct. 23-the overlay process will show some open spaces, indicating areas where resources are less populated and sites that would be more suitable.
During the overlay process, if all areas are tagged as "vital," then no one site appears to be any more important than any other, and the final choice becomes arbitrary. For this reason, it is imperative that careful thought be given while providing information for the overlays.
The Corps of Engineers has established a comment center expressly for accepting or responding to comments about the Offshore Disposal Site Selection. Those not able to provide information in person on Oct. 1 or Oct. 2 may request a copy of the map or questionnaire, or may address their comments to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District Engineer, Col. Robert Slusar, "Off Shore Disposal," P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Comments must be received by Oct. 21, 1997.
Corps employees working the disposal site issue are concerned about potential impacts to crabs and other fisheries, but they also are concerned about the need to identify adequate disposal sites for the Corps' congressionally authorized dredging mission. Routine maintenance dredging is required to maintain the Columbia River navigation channel. Current ocean disposal sites are beginning to mound, creating dangerous wave actions for shippers.