News Release
| Release Number: | 03-130 |
| Dated: | 8/5/2003 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. to conduct maintenance dredging at the International Terminals slips on the Willamette River.
The proposed plan covers about 6.6 acres and involves dredging the area to a maximum depth of -42 feet Columbia River Datum (CRD) in Berth 4 and -36 feet CRD in Berth 5. The work lies entirely within the previously permitted dredge area and covers less area than authorized in previous permits.
The initial dredge volume is 61,000 cubic yards (cy). Over the remainder of the permit duration the applicant proposes to dredge another 40,000 cy as needed for ongoing maintenance. Dredging will be by clamshell bucket, with transport to approved upland facilities or locations by barge, truck or rail.
The two berths have been maintained under previous maintenance dredging permits (US Army Corps of Engineers Permit #199200812 and the Oregon Division of State Lands Permit No. 3701).
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project before making its permit decision.
For a copy of the Corps’ Public Notice 1992-00812, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Mary J. Headley), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4392. 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/199200812.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Sept. 1, 2003, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Mary.J.Headley@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 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 Corps will initiate consultation with 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 within an area designated as an “area of interest” by the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to National Priorities Listing. The Corps has provided information about the requested project to EPA for their review.
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. Note to editors: News Release PA 03-124 issued July 29, 2003 pertained to Schnitzer Stell Industries permit request (public notice 1991-00099) to dredge Berths 1,2 and 3.