News Release
| Release Number: | 02-073 |
| Dated: | 4/26/2002 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Union Soil and Water Conservation District for a project at two sites along the Grande Ronde River near Imbler, Ore.
The project is being proposed to control stream-bank erosion along the river.
The proposed work at the first site would be a two-phased project to allow the system to adapt gradually to the changes being implemented. The first phase will reshape and stabilize 200 feet of stream bank near an existing outfall pipe. The second phase will involve installation of two-rock deflectors to direct stream flow to the center of the river.
The proposed work at the second site will shape the bank line along a 500-foot reach of the river; construct five inter-drains; and install five log deflectors and six rock barbs.
The proposed activities would involve the removal of about 6,500 cubic yards (cy) of material through bank line shaping and site preparation, as well as 900 cy of rock and woody fill material to stabilize the toe and construct the deflectors and barbs.
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 2001-00954, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Mary 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/200100954.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by May 22, 2002, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Mary Headley), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. 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 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 endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat, the Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 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.