News Release
| Release Number: | 01-078 |
| Dated: | 5/22/2001 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to enter the third and final phase of repairs to the Astoria East Boat Basin breakwater. Before construction can begin, however, the agency must complete a formal evaluation of the work, as required under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977.
The Corps is seeking public comments on its proposal to repair 1,400 feet of the north breakwater, replace a portion the causeway at the Astoria East Boat Basin and relocate some boat slips.
The Corps' Section 404(b)(1) evaluation, addressing the environmental effects of the proposed action, is available for public review. State water quality certification has been requested from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, also under the requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
To comment on, or to receive a copy of, this evaluation, write to: District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District - Portland, Attn: CENWP-PM-E (Hamilton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946. Written comments should be mailed no later than June 21, 2001. Questions may be directed to Lynne Hamilton, Environmental Resources Branch, at (503) 808-4772. Please refer to Public Notice number CENWP-PM-E-01-07 in any correspondence.
Phase three will include repairing 1,400 feet of the western-end of the breakwater, and removing and replacing a 75-foot-long section of the causeway connecting the boat basin with the shore. The Corps began repairs on the 2,000-foot-long breakwater in 1998. Repairs are being made by installing steel sheetpiling along the length of the breakwater, surrounding it, and filling the areas between the new and old outer walls with sand or gravel.
The section of causeway must be removed so the toe rock can be removed and the breakwater repaired. Materials removed will be disposed of in accordance with federal and state requirements. Boat slips adjacent to the western portion of the breakwater also will be removed and relocated within the basin to allow breakwater repair to proceed. Numerous steel pipe piles would be removed and replaced during the relocation process.
All in-water work will take place during the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's in-water work period of Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
Phase one, consisting of 400-feet of breakwater, was completed in 1999. During phase two, 600-feet was repaired in 2000. Phase three, which includes 400-feet originally approved as part of phase two but not repaired during that phase and 1,000-feet planned for phase three, would begin in November 2001 and would be completed by March 2004, dependent on the availability of funds.
The Corps constructed the boat basin and the protective breakwaters between 1949 and 1950 under authority of the River and Harbors Act of 1946.