PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comments on a draft environmental assessment proposing three additional nearshore sediment placement sites at the Mouth of the Columbia River.
The purpose of the proposed action is to add additional, long-term dredged material placement sites to the existing network of disposal sites for the MCR project. Additional near-shore sites are needed to address significant erosion issues and divert a sand resource that is otherwise “lost” if it goes to deep-water disposal rather than to beneficial use in the MCR system. Incorporating intertidal and near-shore sites within the already established sediment disposal network gives the Corps maximum flexibility in their dredging program and is one element of the Corps’ beneficial use plan which focuses on keeping sediment within the littoral zone.
The draft environmental assessment addressing the impacts associated with the activity is available for public review and comment on the Portland District web site at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil.
For questions or comments on the draft EA or to request a copy, call Gretchen Smith at 503-964-6972 or e-mail Gretchen.V.Smith@usace.army.mil. Comments also can be submitted by mailing them to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Attn: CENWP-PM-E, Gretchen Smith, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR, 97208-2946.
Comments must be postmarked by March 30, 2012, and should reference Public Notice Number CENWP- PM-E-03-01.