News Release
| Release Number: | 01-096 |
| Dated: | 6/19/2001 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit renewal application to mine an exposed gravel bar in the Willamette River in Polk County, Ore. The purpose of the project is to continue mining sand and gravel for local construction use.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public comment on the proposed project prior to making its determination on whether to issue a permit for the work.
The applicant proposes to mine an exposed gravel bar on the left bank of the Willamette River, north of Brown Island near river mile 86. The gravel bar, which systematically accumulates sand and gravel that migrates down the Willamette River, is owned by the applicant and has been mined for more than 40 years. The applicant's existing permit will expire in 2002. The applicant proposes to mine up to 35,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel annually for 5 years.
The Corps will consider whether the proposed project meets standards of the Rivers and Harbors Act and the Clean Water Act. Preliminary determinations indicate that the proposed activity may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat. Consultation under the Endangered Species Act will be initiated, and a permit for the proposed activity will not be issued until the consultation process is completed.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2001-00576, which describes the proposed project in detail (including drawings in support of the proposed project), please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Dan Gresham), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore. 97208-2946. A copy of the public notice also is posted on the Corps' Internet site at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200100576.pdf.
Written comments should reach the Corps by July 13, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Dan Gresham), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore. 97209-2946. E-mail comments may be sent to Dan.Gresham.lll@usace.army.mil.
The Corps is soliciting comments from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Native American tribes, and other interested parties.