News Release
| Release Number: | 04-169 |
| Dated: | 9/3/2004 |
| Contact: | Diana J. Fredlund, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from the Port of Astoria to complete the expansion of the West Mooring Basin in Astoria, Ore.
The project activities would include relocating an existing fuel dock, realigning existing floats, installing a new gangway and floats, replacing existing retaining walls, and authorizing construction that was unauthorized.
The permitee placed about 1,900 cubic yards of rock that was removed from a previous authorization, on about 175 linear feet of bankline without authorization.
The project would require removal of about 1200 cubic yards (cy) of material and a total of 1,500 cy of riprap. About 104 new pilings would be installed. A total of 0.5 acre of waters of the United States would be impacted.
If the permit is issued, the Corps will determine what is appropriate and practical compensatory mitigation.
As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project before making its permit decision.
For a copy of the Corps' Public Notice 2001-00353, which describes the proposed project in detail, please write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GP (Karla Ellis), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946 or call (503) 808-4377. 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/200100353.pdf.
Written comments must reach the Corps by Sept. 29, 2004, and should be mailed to the above address. Send e-mail comments to Karla.G.Ellis@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 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, for work in or affecting navigable waters of the United States, and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.
The permit will not be issued until the state has concurred with the applicant's certification that the described activity complies with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States and Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management act of 1972.
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 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.