News Release
| Release Number: | 03-111 |
| Dated: | 7/17/2003 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application to stabilize 3,000 feet of Harvey Creek, a tributary of the Umpqua River east of Reedsport, Ore.
The project would include the removal existing logjams and excavation up to 2,000 cubic yards (CY) of material below the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) of the channel. Excavated material would consist of organic material, soil, rock, sand and gravel. In addition, 1,330 CY of material, fallen trees, and soil would be removed from above the OHWM. The eroding banks would then be stabilized using gravel, large rock, and trees anchored in place.
The purpose of the project is to control bank erosion and maintain an existing crossing in the creek.
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 1997-00253, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Merina Christoffersen), 1600 Executive Parkway, Suite 210, Eugene, OR, or call (541) 465-6882. 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/199700253.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by August 9, 2003, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Merina.E.Christoffersen@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 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, for work in or affecting navigable waters of the United States, and 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 affecting land or water uses in the Coastal Zone complies with State Coastal Zone Management Program, Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, and Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Also, because the proposed project may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat, the Corps will initiate 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.