Richland, Wash. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District is seeking public comment on the Revised Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for its proposed action to issue federal real estate instruments to the City of Richland (City) for the construction, operation and maintenance of a bridge located (in part) on Corps-managed federal land adjacent to the Yakima River in Richland, Washington. This Revised FONSI and public comment period is necessary due to proposed changes to the original action regarding construction method alterations and design refinements. Specifically, the bridge has been redesigned to allow for construction without needing a work bridge to access pier location and launch girders, but rather, gravel work pads for crane access would be placed in the river temporarily.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are serving as the lead agencies for the project and in February 2013, they prepared the Duportail Street Bridge Project Environmental Assessment (EA). The analysis in the EA indicated that there would not be a significant impact, individually or cumulatively, on the quality of the human environment should the City construct the bridge at Duportail Street. Consequently, a FONSI was signed by the lead agencies on May 29, 2013 (Attachment A). Additional information is available at: www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Compliance.
Written comments will be accepted until Aug. 21, 2017. All information and comments received will become part of the permanent public record. Electronic comments may be filed directly online using the NEPA Online Comment Form online at: http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/EnvironmentalComplianceComment/, or by emailing to NEPANWW@usace.army.mil, noting “Duportail Street Bridge” in the subject line. Comments may also be mailed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Walla Walla District
ATTN: Duportail Street Bridge Project
201 North 3rd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362-1876
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Release no. 17-086