[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]


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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.

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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