News Release
| Release Number: | 03-034 |
| Dated: | 3/21/2003 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Monroe Tree Farms to construct a 19-lot subdivision near Philomath, Ore.
The applicant proposes to fill .64 acre of wetland and .29 acre of stream channel. The project would require the placement of about 2,384 cubic yards (cy) of fill material for the construction of 2.4 miles of roads and a bus turnaround. The applicant also proposes the placement of an additional 65.6 cy of fill material into seasonal streams to construct 20 culvert road crossings.
The project would include widening Highway 20 to construct a turn lane and a deceleration lane to provide safer access to the subdivision. The highway widening would involve realigning an unnamed stream. About 364 cy of fill material would be placed into 134 feet of the stream and into adjacent wetlands.
The applicant proposes to create about 171 feet of new stream channel farther east of the highway. The new stream channel would be planted with native plants and hydro seeded with riparian grass. Existing culverts also would have to be extended 31 feet as a result of the widening.
The applicant proposes to mitigate for wetland impacts by restoring 0.88 acres of on-site wetlands in the southwest corner of the proposed subdivision to compensate for 0.64 acres of wetlands that would be filled.
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 2002-00813, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (John Ferrise), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4391. 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/200200813.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by March 28, 2003, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to John.Ferrise@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 complies with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Preliminary determinations indicate that the described activity will not affect endangered species, or their critical habitat designated as endangered or threatened, under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
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.