Corps releases draft environmental assessment of MCR Jetties, seeks comments
 
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft environmental assessment of major repairs to the jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River (MCR).   They are seeking comments on the draft no later than February 12, 2010. 
 
The MCR Jetties will be the next Lower Columbia navigation issue requiring unified regional support.  The jetties are three rubble mounded structures at the entrance to the Columbia River.  They help maintain the depth and orientation of the navigation channel, as well as provide protection for ships entering and leaving the estuary.  The necessary repairs will prevent further deterioration and structural breaches, improve safety and maintain their reliability.
 
Repairs to the Jetties could begin as early as 2012 and would be completed in phases over 20 years.  The project will include funding for the placement of rock on the north and south jetty, spur groins on both jetties, and large armor stones to cap the jetties and to prevent further erosion of the tips.  The Corps is currently finalizing a Detailed Design Report to address these long-term major maintenance needs.    
 
The draft environmental assessment is available at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pm/e/en_plan_assess.asp.  Comments on the draft must be submitted to Barbara Cisneros no later than February 12, 2010. Barbara can be contacted at Barbara.G.Cisneros@usace.army.mil or 503-808-4784.  Comments can also be submitted by mailing them to: District Engineer, Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: Barbara Cisneros, CENWP-PM-E, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR, 97208-2946.
 
PNWA continues to be the lead advocate for the MCR Jetties, and will be submitting comments in support of the project.  Later this month, PNWA will be hosting a briefing for Congressional staff to provide a status update of the project.  Our staff and leadership are currently in Washington, DC meeting with Corps Headquarters and the Northwest Delegation to discuss the jetties and other PNWA issues.  We will continue to provide you with updates of the project as we receive them.