News Release
| Release Number: | 01-116 |
| Dated: | 8/1/2001 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. --When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' hopper dredge Yaquina hauls her first load of material dredged from the Yaquina River channel this August, she will use a newly selected ocean disposal site that is farther from the entrance to the bay than the one used in previous years.
After four years of planning, studying and evaluating, Col. Randall Butler, district engineer for the Corps' Portland office, signed a finding of no significant impact on July 30, designating two sites under the authority of Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
The Corps developed an environmental assessment on use of the two sites that outlined the potential impacts to the marine environment and aquatic species. The EA was released to the public for comments and evaluation on May 17, 2001.
The new sites are each 4,000 feet by 6,500 feet and about two miles west of the Oregon coastline. The north site is west of Newport, the south site is west of South Beach. Combined, the sites should accommodate local dredging needs for the next 40 years.
The Corps has been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to get the sites designated as permanent sites under Section 102 of the MPRSA, however, the EPA does not expect permanent designation until 2002 at the earliest.
Prior to this year, the Corps had been using disposal sites just west of the north jetty. Local concerns about navigational safety because sand was deposited at these sites prompted the Corps to find a new disposal location. The new sites were suggested during conversations with the Port of Newport and local fishermen. Use of the new sites will be closely managed and monitored, and coordinated with the EPA and the state of Oregon.