News Release
| Release Number: | 04-046 |
| Dated: | 3/11/2004 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Grants Pass Jetboats Inc., to remove streambed material from locations along the Rogue River near Grants Pass, Ore.
The proposed project would reshape in-stream channels to provide powerboat access during low water.
The project work would entail removing up to 200 cubic yards, per location, of streambed substrate annually during the next five years in these locations: Hog Creek, Two-Bit Riffle, Brushy Chutes, Wharton Riffle, and Whitehorse Riffle. The removal areas would measure 16 feet wide by 2 feet deep and would be removed only when water levels restrict boating traffic.
The applicant proposes to use equipment that would minimize turbidity thus lessening impacts to the aquatic environment
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 1998-00165, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-G (Dominic Yballe), 1600 Executive Parkway, Suite 210, Eugene, OR 97401-2156 or call (541) 465-6894. 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/199800165.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by March 31, 2004, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Dominic.P.Yballe@nwp01.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 NOAA Fisheries, 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 work 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.