Corps seeks CRC funding comments

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is seeking public comment on its plan to accept funds from the Oregon Department of Transportation for review of certain permits related to the Columbia River Crossing Project.

The Corps will review two Section 408 permits to modify or alter a portion of Peninsula Drainage District No. 1 and No. 2 federal flood protection systems, and to modify the federally authorized navigation channel in the Columbia River near the existing Interstate 5 bridge.

The Corps may accept and expend these funds pursuant to Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (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 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. The authority provided in Section 214 is in effect from Oct. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2016.

A public notice describing this action is available for public review and comment on the Corps’ Portland District website at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/media/announcements.

For questions, comments regarding the Public Notice or to request a copy, call Dominic Yballe at 503-808-4392 or e-mail Dominic.P.Yballe@usace.army.mil. Comments also can be submitted by mailing them to:

District Engineer
Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Attn: Dominic Yballe, CENWP-OD-G
P.O. Box 2946

Portland, OR 97208-2946

Comments must be postmarked by Oct. 22, 2013, and should reference Public Notice PM-F-ODOT-2013. Note: This was originally published on Oct. 1, 2013 and re-published on Oct. 17, 2013.