News Release
| Release Number: | 01-065 |
| Dated: | 5/9/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Port of Astoria to replace the aging West Mooring Basin breakwater at Columbia River mile 13 in Astoria, Ore. The breakwater protects moored vessels.
The original rock-filled structure, which was built in 1936, is failing. The Port proposes constructing a new breakwater from interlocking sheet pile connected to pipe pilings. The pilings would be driven with the sheetpile attached, with a cap welded along the top of all the piles to connect them. The new 420-foot-long breakwater would be placed 75 feet riverward of the existing structure.
With the new structure in place, the Port proposes demolishing the original structure, removing the rock fill and placing it on an upland location. The Port also proposes dredging the demolition area, an area about 180 feet by 360 feet, to a depth of -14 feet mean lower low water. An estimated 19,000 cubic yards of material would be removed. This material would be discharged in the flow lane for disposal.
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 2001-00353, 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/200100353.pdf. Photocopies of drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments must reach the Corps by May 24, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Teena Monical) P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to teena.g.monical@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 Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Also, because the proposed activity may affect threatened or endangered 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.