[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57283-57284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28671]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for West Hayden Island Development, Multnomah County, Oregon
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Port of Portland is proposing to construct marine cargo
facilities on West Hayden Island, including an access bridge across
North Portland Harbor. West Hayden Island is an 846-acre site on the
Columbia River downstream of Interstate 5 in Multnomah County, Oregon.
Filling of 12.7 acres of wetlands on the site will require a Department
of the Army (DA) permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Construction of the ship and barge berth and any associated dredging
will require a DA permit under Section 10 of the River and Harbor Act
of 1899. The proposed project will also require a bridge permit from
the U.S. Coast Guard under Section 9 of the River and Harbor Act of
1899. Construction of the bridge may involve Federal funds through the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Coast Guard and FHWA will
serve as cooperating agencies in preparing the Draft EIS. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Portland District, will be the lead agency.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and the Draft EIS can be answered by: David Kurkoski, Regulatory
Branch, Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland,
Oregon 97208-2946, telephone (503) 808-4377.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action
The Port of Portland is proposing to construct marine cargo
facilities on West Hayden Island, located on the Columbia River between
river mile 102.7 and 105.6 in Multnomah County, Oregon. The site is
bounded on the east by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF)
tracks, on the north and west by the Columbia River, and on the south
by North Portland Harbor. The purpose of this project is to provide
suitable waterfront marine cargo facilities within the service area of
the Port of Portland to meet future market demands for international
export and import. The Port proposes to develop this project in three
phases over a 30-year period.
The first phase of development, which would occur within three to
five years of permit approvals, would include: a grain or bulk mineral
terminal, including a quadruple rail loop; a 17-acre storage and
handling area inside the loop; an offshore berth and access channel for
ships and barges; rail access from the BNSF main line consisting of two
tracks, providing both access and train storage capacity; an interim
highway access road from East Hayden Island, providing vehicle access
for employees, grain inspectors, and occasional maintenance and supply
vehicles; a dock on each bank of North Portland Harbor to allow
transport of construction materials and equipment to the project site;
recreation improvements; a new bridge across North Portland Harbor to
provide access between North Marine Drive and West Hayden Island; and
stockpiling of dredged materials for use in future development phases.
Phase 2 may include development of 220 acres for a container
terminal, including necessary berths and intermodal container transfer
facilities. Other improvements would include utility systems,
navigation channel access and turning basin, domestic intermodal yard
and remaining open space improvements not implemented in Phase 1.
Phase 3 would consist of either a second grain or bulk terminal or
additional container facility. If warranted a secondary rail bridge may
be constructed to connect West Hayden Island with the Rivergate
Industrial area to the south.
When all phases are completed, the project would include 474 acres
of development, 373 acres of undeveloped land which may contain
recreational improvements (such as trails, park, boat dock, viewpoints,
observation and interpretation area, and wildlife preserve), and on-
site mitigation for wetland and shallow-water habitats adversely
affected by the project.
This phasing sequence would be affected by the dynamics of the
marketplace, but it is considered the most likely outcome at this time.
Other phasing scenarios are possible. At this time, permits and
approvals are being sought only for Phase 1. Phases 2 and 3 are
included in the project description to give a full picture of the long-
term development program.
2. Alternatives
The alternatives to be considered in this EIS are:
a. the proposed action.
b. other sites, including:
(1) development of other Port-owned sites.
(2) re-development of other Port sites.
(3) acquisition of other property.
c. cooperative work with other ports.
d. no action.
3. Scoping and Public Involvement
The scoping process will commence in October, 1998 with the
issuance of a scoping notice. Federal, state and local agencies, Indian
tribes, and interested organizations and individuals will be asked to
comment on the significant issues relating to the potential effects of
the alternatives. There are no plans to hold a formal scoping meeting.
Potentially significant issues to be addressed in detail include
the effects of the project on wetlands and fisheries, including
federally listed threatened and endangered salmonid fish species, and
shallow water habitat.
The Draft EIS will be prepared concurrently with other
environmental compliance requirements, including the Endangered Species
Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. The Corps and the
cooperating agencies intend to integrate the consultation procedures
under these other statutes with the EIS. The Corps and the applicant
have already begun consultation with the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the
Endangered Species Act.
This proposed project also requires a Removal-Fill Permit from
Oregon Division of State Lands as well as a Section 401 Water Quality
Certification from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
[[Page 57284]]
4. Availability of the Draft EIS
The Draft EIS is scheduled for release in November 1999.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-28671 Filed 10-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AR-P