Corps to study proposed dredging at marina.

Byline: The Register-Guard

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit renewal application from the Salmon Harbor Marina to dredge about 227,000 cubic yards of sediment from the marina.

The proposed work would be done in the Umpqua River over the next 10 years, at river mile 1.5 near Winchester Bay.

The purpose of the dredging would be to provide sufficient depth for boat safety in the east and west basins of the existing marina.

The original permit expired in January 2000; there has been no dredging in the basins for 10 years.

It is anticipated that dredging would take place in annual increments of 25,000 cubic yards to 50,000 cubic yards. Any contaminated dredge material would be taken to an approved upland disposal site.

As part of its permit evaluation process, the corps is asking for public review and comment on the project before making its permit decision.

Written comments must be received by May 29 and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GE (Ms. Kelly J. Urbanek), P.O. Box 604, North Bend, OR 97459. Send e-mail comments to Kelly.J.Urbanek@ usace.army.mil.

Comments must reference the project's public notice number, 1994-00565.

For a copy of the notice, which describes the proposed project in detail, write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENWP-OP-GE (Ms. Kelly J. Urbanek), P.O. Box 604, North Bend, OR 97459, or call 266-9497.

A copy of the public notice, including photocopies of supporting drawings, is posted on the corps' Web site at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/199400565.pdf.

The corps also is reviewing the impacts of this proposed activity on endangered species, cultural resources, water quality, general environmental effects and other public interest factors.

It will evaluate the permit request under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act .

No permit will be issued until the state has concurred with the applicant's certification that the described activity affecting land or water uses in the Coastal Zone complies with the State Coastal Zone Management Program and the Clean Water Act.

Because the proposed project may affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat, the corps will also consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Preliminary determinations indicate that the proposed activity may affect essential fish habitat for groundfish, coastal pelagic, coho and chinook salmon, the corps said.