News Release
| Release Number: | 01-016 |
| Dated: | 2/13/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay to fill wetlands near Pony Slough in North Bend, Ore., for a runway improvement project. The proposed work would impact 2.64 acres of wetlands adjacent to Pony Slough and 0.08 acre of Pony Slough.
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.
The Port is seeking authorization for the work so it can modify the existing runway to meet Federal Aviation Administration safety regulations, including provision for a 600-foot by 300-foot runway safety area at Runway 31. The goal of the work is to create a compacted, well-drained, clear and level surface. To accomplish this, the Port proposes to fill an enclosed wetland basin and channel and a portion of Pony Slough, as well as construct a 300-foot bulkhead and install a 380-foot, 36-inch corrugated metal pipe to connect a proposed storm water detention basin to an existing tidegate. About 31,370 cubic yards of material would be removed from the area and used to fill the wetland basin and channel.
To offset the impacts to wetlands, the Port submitted a mitigation plan, which includes removing 980 linear feet of dike along Coalbank Slough in Coos County to restore 0.65 acre of estuarine wetland and enhance 6.22 acres of emergent wetlands by converting to estuarine wetland. The Port also proposes to connect an existing tidal channel to an existing ditch within the emergent wetlands by removing part of a 100-foot berm.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2000-01029, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946. A copy of the public notice is posted on the Corps' Internet site at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200001029.pdf. Photocopies of drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Feb. 26, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Ron Marg), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to ron.e.marg@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 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. A Water Quality Certification, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, also will be needed from the State. Also, because listed fish species under the Endangered Species Act are in the river, the Corps has entered into consultation with the National Marines Fisheries Service. A permit will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is completed.