News Release
| Release Number: | 01-040 |
| Dated: | 4/4/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Happy Valley in Clackamas County. The city is seeking authority to build a two-pond stormwater detention facility in the Happy Valley Nature Park located west of SE 145th Avenue, north of SE King Road and south of the Blue Heron Pointe subdivision in Clackamas County.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project prior to making its permitting decision for the work.
The proposed project, which would treat stormwater runoff before it is discharged into Mt. Scott Creek, would temporarily impact about .10 acres of wetlands and permanently impact .81 acres of wetland pasture. The work would include excavating 3,159 cubic yards of material and the placement of 3,495 cubic yards of material. To mitigate for the damage to the wetlands, the applicant proposes to enhance 2.73 acres of wetlands in five separate locations.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2001-00208, 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/200100208.pdf. Photocopies of drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments must reach the Corps by April 16, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (William Davis), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to william.r.davis@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. 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.