News Release
| Release Number: | 02-197 |
| Dated: | 12/19/2002 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-The U.S.Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the City of Eugene Airport for modifications at the northeasterly end of the 321 runway in Eugene, Ore.
The proposed area would be leveled; .46 acre of seasonally mowed wetlands would be filled and immediately seeded. The area would not be paved. The project would provide a safety run out area to accommodate airplane-landing emergencies. The proposed work would bring the airport into compliance with Federal Aviation Administration current safety regulation for the upgrade of airport facilities.
The applicant has proposed to mitigate for impacts by using the West Eugene Wetlands Mitigation Bank. Onsite mitigation is not feasible as it is necessary to minimize the development of aquatic habitat to protect the safety of airplane passengers, as well as waterfowl and other large birds.
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 1999-01575, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Merina Christoffersen), 1600 Executive Parkway, Suite 210; Eugene, Ore., or call (541) 465-6882. 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/199901575.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Jan. 5, 2003, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Merina.E.Christoffersen@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, the Corps will initiate consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. A permit for the proposed activity will not be issued or denied until the consultation process is complete.
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.
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