Public Notice Availability of
Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment for the
Long Tom Channel Improvement Project
Issue Date: May 26, 2023
Comment Period End Date: June 30, 2023
Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) is seeking public comment on its Long Tom Ecosystem Restoration Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (EA). The Corps is proposing modifications to the Long Tom Channel Improvement Project in Benton County, OR.
Alternatives were developed to address habitat connectivity and restoration of geomorphic processes disrupted by the Corps-constructed Monroe Drop Structure, located on the Long Tom at river mile 6.9. The drop structure acts as a fish passage barrier and has resulted in the loss of upstream habitat and ecosystem function due to the historic channelization of the Long Tom River which also caused the disconnection of nearby side channels. This channelization has shortened the length of the river below the Fern Ridge Dam from 36 to 23 miles, reducing the available amount of riverine habitat suitable for Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, and Pacific lamprey.
The Recommended Plan, total removal of the Monroe Drop Structure, would restore approximately 43 acres of aquatic and floodplain habitat, enhance connectivity to a historic meander through installation of a larger culvert and engineered pool and riffle structure, and armoring of the OR-99 bridge piers to prevent scour caused by increased velocities upstream of the drop structure.
The Corps has prepared a draft EA for the proposed action in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations found at 40 CFR §1501.5(e) and the Corps NEPA Implementation Regulations found at 33 CFR §230.10.
The Corps has made a preliminary determination that the effects of the proposed action would not be significant and that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not warranted. Following public review, the Corps will make a final determination on whether to make a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
The draft Integrated Feasibility Report and EA is available for download at: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/23788
- Appendix C: Climate change assessment: Library Link
- Appendix D: Economic and incremental cost analysis: Library Link,
- Appendix E: Habitat evaluation, benefits, quantification, and incremental analysis: Library Link
- Appendix H: Engineering and design: Library Link,
- Appendix I: Hydraulics and hydrology: Library Link
Questions or comments regarding the draft EA should be directed to Portland District, Environmental Resources Branch, at NWP-LongTom-EcoRes@usace.army.mil or to the mailing address below.
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District
Attn: CENWP-PME-E / Elizabeth Santana
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, Oregon 97208-2946
Mailed comments on this notice must be postmarked by June 30, 2023. In your response, please refer to the above public notice title and date. Should no response be received by the above expiration date, a “no comment” response will be assumed.
The public is encourage to join a virtual public information session hosted by the Corps, June 13, 2023 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Details:
Meeting link: https://usace1.webex.com/usace1/j.php?MTID=m08b7c767349514db8e970bc87f0d0804
Meeting number: 2760 985 3259
Password: 2PMpDRMK*68
Access code: 2760 985 3259
Join by video system: Dial 27609853259@usace1.webex.com
You can also dial 207.182.190.20 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone:
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