News Release
| Release Number: | 01-028 |
| Dated: | 3/21/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Eola Investment Group which requests authority to remove by dredge up to 600 cubic yards of material each year over a 5-year period. The investment group is requesting the permit to allow it to provide continued access to an existing boat ramp on the Willamette River at river mile 88.1 in Salem. If approved, the work would be done during the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's preferred in-water work period which is from June 15 to Aug. 15 each year. The in-water work period is designed to protect fisheries and other aquatic species.
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.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2001-00127, 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/200100127.pdf. Photocopies of drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments must reach the Corps by April 11, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Dan Gresham), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to daniel.gresham.III@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 the proposed work may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat, the Corps has entered into consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. A permit will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is completed.