News Release
| Release Number: | 01-053 |
| Dated: | 4/18/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Cargill Incorporated. The applicant is seeking a 5-year permit to conduct maintenance dredging on the Willamette River at river mile 11.4 in Portland, Ore., to ensure adequate depths for ocean-going vessels during grain loading operations at the Irving Elevator location.
An estimated 8,000 cubic yards of material would be removed each year by clamshell dredge. The dredged material would be placed upland at Ross Island or another approved upland site, or within the Ross Island Lagoon.
A sediment analysis plan (SAP), which was prepared by the applicant, is being reviewed according to the Dredge Material Evaluation Framework, Lower Columbia River Management Area. Sediment testing will be conducted following approval of the SAP.
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.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2001-00031, 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 https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200100031.pdf. Photocopies of drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments must reach the Corps by April 25, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to judy.l.linton@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 evaluate the permit request under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Also, because the proposed activity may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat, the Corps will initiate consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act with the National Marine Fisheries Service. A permit will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is completed.