News Release
| Release Number: | 04-028 |
| Dated: | 2/12/2004 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from West Extension Irrigation District to create a structure to divert irrigation water and to prevent upstream fish passage in a tributary from the Columbia River near Boardman, Ore.
The applicant proposes removing 120 cubic yards (cy) of material along a 474-foot stretch of an existing irrigation ditch to allow proper flow. The applicant also proposes installing a 3-foot vertical barrier with an 8-foot Langemann gate, which can be raised and lowered to accommodate flows. Installation of this barrier would require removal of 15 cy of silt and discharge of 25 cy of riprap.
The purpose of this project is to deter upstream fish passage, which results in fish mortality during low flows.
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 2003-00039, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-G (Karla Ellis), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4377. 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/200300039.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by March 4, 2004, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Karla.G.Ellis@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 the 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 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.