Walla Walla District

OVERVIEW

The Walla Walla District Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposes to approve use of Corps-owned property by the Port of Lewiston (Port) for expansion of their existing dock and development of a graveled storage area at the existing Port facilities in Lewiston, Idaho. These facilities are located on the right (north) bank of the Clearwater River at River Mile 1.5 at the upstream end of the reservoir formed by the Corps' Lower Granite Dam. This reservoir is part of the Columbia/Snake Inland Waterway that provides for inland waterborne navigation between the Pacific Ocean and Lewiston. The Corps constructed a flood protection levee along the shore as part of the dam project and owns a variable width strip of land along the levee. The Port has an easement from the Corps to use a portion of the land and levee for port and industrial purposes. Under the terms of the easement, the Port must obtain Corps approval before making modifications to the property. Because the Port's proposed project includes modification to an existing Corps structure (the levee), the Corps must also review the Port's project under 33 USC 408 (Section 408). The Corps also reviewed this project through its Regulatory program and considered issuing a Department of the Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The Corps prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to addresses potential effects associated with the proposed "Port of Lewiston Dock Expansion and Storage Area Development" and any reasonable alternatives. The Corps distributed the EA and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a two week review which was extended for another two weeks ending March 30. The Corps received a total of 57 comment documents. The Corps prepared a summary document that lists the distinct comments received and the Corps' response to each comment. The Corps also revised the EA in response to comments.

The District Commander signed the FONSI and the decision document for the Department of the Army Section 404/10 permit on April 15, 2012.

The revised EA, signed FONSI, comment summary document, and Department of the Army Permit Memorandum For Record are available on this web site (see links on the right).

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Sandy Shelin, Environmental Coordinator, at 509-527-7265.

The Corps is also reviewing a Department of the Army Permit Application from the Port of Lewiston, pursuant to Regulatory Authority under the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, Section 10 and the Clean Water Act, Section 404 (33 CFR 320-332). A Public Notice for Comments was issued on June 22, 2011 with comments due no later than August 22, 2011. A Public Hearing was held on October 19, 2011. A determination to issue a Department of Army Permit will be made pending completion of the Environmental Compliance for the easement use and Section 408 approvals.