News Release
| Release Number: | 02-009 |
| Dated: | 1/10/2002 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Embarcadero Resort Hotel and Marina, to dredge about 32,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Embarcadero Resort Marina.
The proposed work would occur in the Yaquina River, at river mile 1.7, Newport, Ore., in Lincoln County.
The proposed dredging would provide adequate depth for boat safety in the existing marina. The applicant states that with the exception of 400 cubic yards excavated annually from the northeast corner of the marina, the marina has not been dredged in 25 years.
In 2001, a sediment sampling and analysis plan was prepared, and materials from the marina floor collected and analyzed to assure the sediment dredged from the marina is suitable for unconfined in-water disposal. Established sediment quality standards were used to make a determination.
There are four dredge material disposal sites near Yaquina Bay. Material dredged from the marina would be deposited in the northernmost site, designated as the North Site on maps included in the permit application.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project prior to making its permitting decision for the work.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2000-01021, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Kathryn Harris), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4387. 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/200001021.pdf .
Written comments must reach the Corps by Feb. 6, 2002, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Kathryn Harris), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to Kathryn.L.Harris@usace.army.mil . Comments must reference the Public Notice by number as given above.
The Corps also is soliciting input from the public, 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, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, and Section 103, Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, for transport of dredged material for the purpose of placing or depositing it into the ocean.
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.