News Release
| Release Number: | 02-074 |
| Dated: | 4/30/2002 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today directed a pause nationwide on certain projects authorized but not yet under construction until they can be reviewed. The announcement came as a result of recent questions about the Corps processes.
The Corps' Portland District office believes none of the projects or studies it manages are impacted by today's decision. The Portland District manages water resource development projects in western Oregon and southwestern Washington.
Nationwide the Corps will take another look at active projects falling into two categories.
* Those with an economic assessment approved prior to fiscal year 1999 will have a new economic analysis before they can proceed.
* The second group of projects includes those where there are credible indications of changes in economic conditions, or engineering, scientific or environmental information since authorization that may have resulted in significant changes in project justification or support since authorization. Documentation for these projects will be reviewed and updated, if necessary.
"We are already in compliance with the policy because all our projects that meet the criteria are already being reviewed," said Martin Hudson, chief of planning in Portland. "We initiated a thorough economic review of the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project in February of this year."
The Portland District will have an independent technical review team evaluate the project's economic justification, which is expected to be completed later this spring. The District is in the process of forming the team. After the review team completes its evaluation, the report will be available for public review and comment.
The only other local project to meet the described criteria is re-analysis of sediment loads and stream bank capacity of the Toutle and Cowlitz rivers, part of the Corps' continuing effort to protect life and property following the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in southwestern Washington.
This does not affect studies currently underway that would undergo a more thorough review prior to recommendations.
"This action is part of a more comprehensive initiative to ensure that Corps projects are a sound investment for our nation and are proposed in an environmentally sustainable way," stated Army Corps of Engineers Director of Civil Works Maj. Gen. Robert H. Griffin. "It is essential that Corps projects keep up with the pace of change.
"Corps projects across the nation protect lives and property, improve our quality of life and ensure and enhance the nation's environment, economic prosperity and national defense," Griffin stated.
Some projects will have a quick check to see when the last economic analysis was done and, if current, the project will proceed. Other projects may require more extensive work on the environmental, engineering or economics analyses. Projects will be allowed to proceed once any necessary updates have been made.