News Release
| Release Number: | 02-167 |
| Dated: | 9/25/2002 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Mohler Sand and Gravel to remove gravel for commercial purposes from three bars on the north bank of the Nehalem River near Nehalem, Ore.
During the three-year life of the permit, the applicant proposes to remove up to 30,000 cubic yards (cy) of gravel from the first bar and up to 15,000 cy of gravel from the remaining two bars.
Removal depth in the three areas would vary but would be no lower than the estimated summer low-water elevation. All work would be performed outside the active channel.
To access the second area, the applicant proposes to use a temporary railroad bridge, set on log abutments, that would be about 100 feet in length and span the channel of the river. The bridge would be removed upon completion of gravel removal.
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 2002-00765, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Ron Marg), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4390. 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/200200765.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Oct. 17, 2002, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Ron.E.Marg@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.
Also, because the proposed project may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat and/or essential fish habitat for groundfish, coastal pelagic, coho salmon and chinook salmon, the Corps will initiate consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Section 305 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. A permit for the proposed activity will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is complete.