News Release
| Release Number: | 01-071 |
| Dated: | 5/14/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Lane County Waste Management Division in Eugene, Ore., to fill wetlands to expand an existing solid waste landfill for the greater Lane County area.
The applicant proposes to fill 112.6 acres of wetlands adjacent to Camas Swale Creek while expanding an existing three-cell landfill. The proposed expansion would impact 144.6 acres of land and would include constructing eight additional cells on the east side of the existing landfill. If issued, the permit would include preparing each cell, constructing berms and access roads. The first phase of the project would include filling 8.8 acres of wetland in the summer of 2002. The remaining work would be done in nine subsequent phases. The Corps is considering a 30-year permit for the proposed project
If the Corps determines compensatory mitigation is required, the applicant proposes enhancing 28.7 acres of wetland habitat to support the endangered plant Bradshaw's lomatium.
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 1999-01450, 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/199901450.pdf. Photocopies of drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments must reach the Corps by May 29, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Chris Thoms) P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to chris.r.thoms@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. 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.