News Release
| Release Number: | 03-084 |
| Dated: | 6/12/2003 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Oregon State Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct three new northbound lanes of pavement and replace the Mill Creek overflow bridge on the east side of Interstate 5 (I-5) in Salem.
The project site is adjacent to the Mill Creek overflow channel near I-5 and Highway 22. The existing northbound lanes and overflow bridge would be removed, replaced and expanded. In addition, ODOT will construct a new roadside treatment swale to direct storm water to the Mill Creek overflow channel. About .71 acre of wetland and waterway would be directly impacted by fill for the freeway embankment. The purpose of the project is to modernize this portion of I-5 to improve safety and reduce localized congestion.
Proposed mitigation involves creating .28 acres of alcove and creek terrace habitat along Mill Creek and purchasing credits at the Marion Mitigation Bank. If a permit is issued, the Corps will decide on appropriate and practicable compensatory mitigation.
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 2003-00259, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Mark Everett), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4388. 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/200300259.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by July 7, 2003, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Mark.Everett@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 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Also, because the proposed project may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat, the Federal Highway Administration has initiated consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, 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.