Corps accepts funds to evaluate impacts of proposed pipeline project

PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District has announced it will accept funds from Northwest Natural Gas to consider if the proposed North Mist pipeline project will impact a federal levee near Clatskanie, Oregon. 

The Corps will use the funds to pay for labor and overhead of Corps personnel evaluating the engineering plans, specifications and reports related to the proposed project.

The Corps may accept and expend these funds pursuant to Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2014 (Public Law No. 106-541), as amended, which provides that the Secretary of the Army, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by a non-federal public entity, natural gas companies, or public utility company to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a project or activity for a public purpose under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army. In doing so, the Secretary must ensure that the use of such funds will not impact impartial decision making with respect to permits, either substantively or procedurally. 

A public notice describing this action is available for public review on the Corps’ Portland District website at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements.aspx. 

Portland District is not seeking public comment regarding this action. For additional information regarding the original notice or the funding, contact Marci Johnson at (503) 808-4765 or via e-mail at Marci.e.johnson@usace.army.mil.