News Release
| Release Number: | 01-107 |
| Dated: | 7/12/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a 10-year permit application from Class Harbor Association to conduct annual maintenance dredging of its existing floating home moorage on the Columbia River in Portland, Ore. The purpose of the project is to maintain adequate depths for boats and floating homes.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public comment on the proposed project prior to making its determination on whether to issue a permit for the work.
The project involves removing sediments by clamshell dredge to a depth of -10 feet Columbia River Datum at mile 105 of the Columbia River. The dredged material would be disposed of either within the Ross Island Lagoon or upland at the Port of Vancouver, Wash. The applicant estimates that up to 9,800 cubic yards of sediment would be removed in 2001, followed by removal of only minor amounts annually thereafter. The applicant is requesting authorization to conduct the initial maintenance dredging this summer, though the normal in-water work period for the Columbia River is Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
The Corps will consider whether the proposed project meets standards of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act for work affecting navigable waters and of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for discharge or fill material placed into waters of the U.S. Preliminary determinations indicate that the described activity will come under the Endangered Species Act and Essential Fish Habitat and will require consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. A permit will not be issued or denied until the consultation processes are completed.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2001-00542, which describes the proposed project in detail (including drawings in support of the proposed project), please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore. 97208-2946. A copy of the public notice also is posted on the Corps' Internet site at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200100542.pdf.
Written comments should reach the Corps by July 26, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore. 97209-2946. Send e-mail comments to Judy.L.Linton@usace.army.mil.
The Corps is soliciting comments from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Native American tribes, and other interested parties.