News Release
| Release Number: | 03-069 |
| Dated: | 5/20/2003 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating an application for a 5-year permit from Weyerhaeuser requesting annual dredging in the McKenzie Slough in Lane County, Ore.
The proposed dredging would take place in existing diversion channel to provide reliable water supply to Springfield Mill for plant operation and fire protection.
About 3,000 cubic yards of material would be removed annually, affecting 2.9 acres. The dredged materials would be placed in an adjacent upland location behind a berm, separated from slough.
Weyerhaeuser Company would implement appropriate sediment and erosion measures to reduce silts from moving back into the waterway
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project prior to making its permit decision.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 1999-00279, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GE (Michele Hanson), 1600 Executive, Suite 210, Eugene, OR 97401 or call (541) 465-6878. A copy of the public notice, including photocopies of supporting drawings, is posted on the Corps' Internet site at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/199900279.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by June 5, 2003, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Michele.E.Hanson@usace.army.mil. Comments must reference the Public Notice number.
The Corps also is soliciting input from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Indian Tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity on endangered species, cultural resources, 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 for discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.
A permit will not be issued until the state has concurred with the applicant's certification that the described activity complies with Section 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10, Rivers and Harbors Act 1899, for work in or affecting navigable waters of the United States.
Also, because the proposed project may affect an endangered or threatened species, Upper Willamette spring chinook salmon, and chub, or its critical habitat, the Corps will initiate consultation with the NOAA Fisheries, under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. A permit for the proposed activity will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is complete.
The proposed project is not located on property registered in the latest version of the National Register of Historic Places. This notice has been provided to the State Historic Preservation Office.