[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24397]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 4, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers
Intent to Prepare a Draft Supplement to the Columbia and Lower
Willamette River Environmental Impact Statement, July 1975
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Supplement to the Columbia
and Lower Willamette River Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), July
1975. The original EIS addressed impacts of operational and maintenance
dredging, and completion of the 40-foot navigation channel downstream
from Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. This Supplement is
being prepared to address the impacts to physical, biological, and
cultural elements of the environment as a result of current dredging
practices and the potential effects of management alternatives that
will be developed in the Dredged Material Management Study (DMMS) for
the Columbia and Lower Willamette Rivers.
The proposed action is to perform a management study (DMMS) that
will identify and recommend alternatives for modifications to the
existing Operations and Maintenance dredging program and potential new
proposals, such as pile dike construction and other measures that are
directed at reducing the frequency or quality of dredging.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Regulatory
and Environmental Resource Branch, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon
97208-2946.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Anderson, (503) 326-6998.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Columbia and Lower Willamette River
(C&LW) 40-foot navigation project is maintained by the Corps of
Engineers. Between four and seven million cubic yards of sand are
dredged from the Columbia River portion of the project annually. In
addition, 500-750 thousand cubic yards of silty sand and sandy silts
are dredged from the Lower Willamette River on a three to five-year
interval.
Between 1988 and 1991, the Corps of Engineers completed development
of a Long-Term Management Strategy (LTMS) for the portion of the
channel that traverses the Columbia River Estuary, River Miles 3-28. A
series of 50-year plan scenarios were developed.
In October 1993, the Corps of Engineers was directed to undertake a
dredged material management study (DMMS) for the entire C&LW project.
The DMMS study will also be coordinated with the Columbia River Channel
Deepening Feasibility Study effort. While intended to produce a stand
alone document, the DMMS will, in part, also fulfill the requirements
to define the without project condition for the Feasibility Study. The
study will be similar to the lower estuary LTMS, in terms of process,
but will follow the newer guidance for planning horizon, scope of
study, etc. Dredged material management issues on the Columbia River
that are new since completion of the LTMS will be fully developed in
the DMMS for both the estuary and the remainder of the project. Most
notable among new issues is the listing of three salmon stocks which
migrate through the project area as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act.
The scoping process commenced in July 1994 with the issuance of a
scoping letter. Federal, state and local agencies, Indian tribes, and
interested organizations and individuals were asked to comment on the
scope of the SEIS. Potentially significant issues to be addressed in
the SEIS will be based on effects of management alternatives and
subsequent actions thereof.
Potential effects on: wetlands and vegetation, wildlife habitat and
populations, fisheries in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers (including
Snake River salmon), and cultural resources, will be studied.
Other environmental review and consultation requirements which will
be addressed in conjunction with the DSEIS include:
a. Clean Water Act of 1977, as amended.
b. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
c. Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.
d. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
e. Cultural Resources Act.
f. Marine Projection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
g. Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management.
h. Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands.
i. Analysis of Prime or Unique Farmlands.
A formal scoping meeting has not been scheduled, however, comments
are currently being received and the DSEIS is scheduled to be made
available to the public in July 1997.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-24397 Filed 10-3-94; 8:45 am]
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