PUBLIC NOTICE
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
PORT OF MORROW OUTDOOR RECREATION PARK PROJECT
MORROW COUNTY, OREGON
CENWP-PM-E-14-09
30 Day Notice
Issue Date: June 13, 2014
Expiration Date: July 11, 2014
Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps), proposes to lease approximately 50 acres to the Port of Morrow for development as an outdoor recreation park. The proposed lease would allow for the development of an outdoor recreation park to include a ball field complex, soccer fields, amphitheater, dog park, playgrounds, picnic areas, and natural areas. The park would be set 50 feet from the shoreline to maintain the riparian buffer as a natural area.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared by a federal agency when a proposed action is not covered by a categorical exclusion or otherwise exempt under NEPA. Federal agencies use EAs to determine whether proposed actions have the potential to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. This draft Port of Morrow Outdoor Recreation Park EA has been prepared to ensure compliance with NEPA.
A previous Public Notice (CENWP-PM-E-11-05) and EA were issued for public review on September 19, 2011 and had an extended comment period which ended on December 31, 2011. This current revised draft edition was warranted due to consideration of an additional alternative which would reduce impacts to the riparian area and also to incorporate comments/concerns presented by Native American Tribes into the Corps’ evaluation.
Environmental Documents: A draft EA addressing the impacts associated with the proposed action is available for public review and comment. The draft EA along with a separate appendix are accessible on the Corps website:
http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements.aspx
State Water Quality Certification: The proposed action is in compliance with Section 404 (b) (1) of the Clean Water Act. There would be no discharges to waters of the United States. Water Quality Certification would not be required for this proposal.
Additional Information and Comments: Questions or comments regarding the draft EA should be directed to Bobbi Jo McClain, (206) 764-6968, via e-mail at bobbi.j.mcclain@usace.army.mil, or at the address below. Written comments in response to this notice must be mailed by the above closing date and sent to.
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer-Portland District
Attn: CENWP-PM-E / Matthew Eppard
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, Oregon 97208-2946
In your response, please refer to the above public notice number, title, and date. A “no comment” response will be assumed if no response is received prior to or postmarked by the above expiration date.