Corps seeks comments on regional general permit

PORTLAND, Ore. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is asking the public to review and comment on a proposal to reissue a regional general permit authorizing the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management to conduct aquatic habitat restoration activities within the state of Oregon.

The current RGP was issued in June 2009 and authorized 13 activity categories. The RGP contains provisions intended to protect the environment, endangered species, cultural resources, and to ensure the work is not contrary to the public interest. The RGP originally was set to expire Dec. 31, 2012, but was extended twice to give the Corps and Oregon Department of State Lands sufficient time to evaluate the potential for permit reissuance and to conduct compliance monitoring on specific actions authorized under this permit. The current RGP will expire Dec. 31, 2014. The proposed RGP is available for review at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx

Regional general permits speed up the authorization of recurring activities that are similar in nature, and can include very specific conditions to ensure minimal individual and cumulative adverse impacts on the aquatic environment.

For questions or comments, call Judy Linton at 503-808-4382 or email Judy.L.Linton@usace.army.mil. Comments can also be submitted by mailing them to: District Engineer, Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: Judy Linton, CENWP-OD-G, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR, 97208-2946.

Comments must be postmarked by June 9, 2014, and should reference Public Notice NWP-2007-999/1