News Release
| Release Number: | 01-144 |
| Dated: | 10/23/2001 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-Ore.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Federal Aviation Administration which requests authority to construct a 1,425-foot runway lighting system at the approach to the municipal airport in North Bend, Ore.
The in-water portion of the light system would be stationed on galvanized steel piles, driven in pairs at 40-foot intervals in Coos Bay at about mile 7.5. About 63 piles would be required for the structure; they would be installed during high tides via barge-mounted driving equipment.
In addition to the lights, a 14-foot-wide maintenance walkway would be required at the light stations, with 6-foot-wide maintenance walkways between stations. Mesh netting and other deterrents would be used to prevent birds from perching on the structures.
The FAA wants to construct the lighting system to enhance the safety for landing aircraft, especially during foggy weather.
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 2001-00891, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946. A copy of the public notice is posted on the Corps' Internet site at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/20010891.pdf. Photocopies of drawings supporting the proposed project are included in the public notice.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Nov. 18, 2001, and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Ron Marg), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Ore., 97208-2946. Send e-mail comments to ron.e.marg@usace.army.mil.
The Corps also is soliciting input from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Indian Tribes, and other interested parties to help permit reviewers consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed project on endangered species, historic properties, 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. Also, because the proposed work may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat, the applicant will initiate consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. A permit will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is completed. The applicant also will be required to initiate consultation under section 305 of the Magnusen-Stevens Act, which addresses impacts to essential fish habitat.