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Environmental Considerations
Protecting and Improving the Environment
A close examination of the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project shows that it is designed to protect the environment. The project: |
- Includes both navigation improvement and expanded restoration components. The included restoration components will entail commitments to specific projects with clear benefits to listed species.
- Avoids environmental impacts wherever possible. Most of the dredge material will be disposed at upland sites for beneficial uses.
- Minimizes unavoidable impacts. Only 15.4 acres of wetland, 50 acres of riparian habitat, and 171.4 acres of agricultural land will be impacted.
- Compensates for any unavoidable impacts through substantial mitigation endeavors. These impacts will be offset by 736 acres of wetland and riparian mitigation.
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Ecosystem restoration is an integral part of the Channel Deepening Project. Features of the project include:
- Restoration of 470-839 acres of wildlife habitat at Shillapoo Lake (near Vancouver, Wash.), pending private land acquisition and prior restoration by others;
- Improvement of 38 miles of spawning streams in the Lower Columbia River by retro-fitting tide gates;
- Enhanced circulation for migrating salmonids in certain shallow water areas.
Biological Consultation
- In October 1999, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a biological assessment of the project.
- In December 1999, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a biological opinion that the project did not jeopardize threatened or endangered fish species.
- In August 2000, citing the need to study new biological evidence, NMFS withdrew its biological opinion and a reconsultation process was initiated among the federal agencies. U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) joined the reconsultation process.
- In January 2002, Corps issues a favorable Biological Assessment addressing all relevant environmental issues.
- In May 2002, NMFS and USFWS issues "no jeopardy" Biological Opinions, stating that no measurable impact will effect listed endangered species and their critical habitat.
The sponsor ports served as non-federal representatives with NMFS, USFWS, and the Corps in the reconsultation.
Sustainable Ecosystems Institute (SEI) was retained to help resolve scientific concerns raised in connection with the project.
The Columbia River Channel Coalition supports the effort to further study the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project and its impact on the environment. The goal of the reconsultation was to ensure that a scientifically credible biological opinion was developed within a reasonable time frame.
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