Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Columbia River Channel Deepening Feasibility Study, Oregon-Washington

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers

Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Columbia

River Channel Deepening Feasibility Study, Oregon-Washington

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The proposed action is to determine the feasibility of

improving navigation in the existing Columbia and Lower Willamette

Rivers Federal navigation project by potential modifications, including

the potential deepening of up to 3 feet.

This feasibility study has been authorized by Congress pursuant to

appeals by local port authorities for navigation assistance.

The existing navigation channel depth does not allow some of the

deeper draft vessels using the channel to fully load. Prospective

traffic and potential economies of scale are such that the lower

Columbia River ports could operate more safely, effectively and

economically with a deeper channel.

The EIS is being prepared to address the comparative impacts for

alternative actions related to navigation channel modifications.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District,

Environmental Resources Branch, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208-

2946.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Questions about the proposed action and EIS can be answered by Steven

J. Stevens, (503) 326-6094.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed study, authorized under House

Document 452, Eighty-Seventh Congress, Second Session, is being

conducted to determine the feasibility for improvements to the existing

Columbia and Lower Willamette Rivers deep-draft navigation project. The

study was modified by the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 1994

which specified that no alternatives deeper than 43 feet would be

considered and that a concurrent Dredged Material Management Study of

the existing project be conducted.

Alternatives identified in the reconnaissance phase study, public

and agency comments and port authority input include:

(1) Channel deepening ranging from 1 to 3 feet;

(2) One-way channel;

(3) Deepening selected reaches by increments ranging from 1 to 3

feet;

(4) Tiered channel with an outbound land deeper than the inbound

lane;

(5) Development of a regional port closer to the mouth of the

Columbia River;

(6) No action.

Existing upland and inwater disposal sites would be used for

disposal of a large portion of material dredged for channel deepening.

New upland and inwater sites would be investigated for disposal of

deepening and future maintenance dredging material. The feasibility

study and EIS will also address the long term effects of additional

channel maintenance dredging. EIS scoping will formally commence in

November 1994 with the issuance of a scoping letter. Federal, state and

local agencies, Indian tribes and interested organizations and

individuals will be asked to comment on the significant issues related

to the potential effects of the alternatives. Potentially significant

issues to be addressed in the EIS which are currently identified

include: fisheries impacts (particularly anadromous species); wildlife

impacts at upland disposal sites; water quality impacts in the vicinity

of port docks; salinity intrusion; indirect effects from increased port

dredging and modified shipping activity. Additional environmental

review and consultation requirements to be addressed in conjunction

with the EIS include:

(1) Clean Water Act of 1977;

(2) Fish and Wildlife;

(3) Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended;

(4) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended;

(5) Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as

amended;

(6) Cultural Resources Acts;

(7) Executive Order 11988, Flood Plain Management, 24 May 1977;

(8) Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, 24 May 1977;

(9) Analysis of Impacts on Prime and Unique Farmlands.

Formal public meetings have been scheduled to obtain input from the

general public.

Comments received at these meetings will be considered during

preparation of the Feasibility Study/EIS. As previously stated, a

scoping letter will be issued in November 1994, providing additional

opportunity for comment. The Draft EIS is scheduled for public review

in October 1997.

Kenneth L. Denton,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 94-28218 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-AR-M