MILTON-FREEWATER, Ore. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District invites public comments on an environmental assessment (EA) for the Nursery Bridge Drop Structure Repair project on the Walla Walla River in Milton-Freewater, Ore. Comments are due by May 21.
The structure was damaged by high flows in April, 2013. The Nursery Bridge drop structure is part of the Milton-Freewater Flood Control Project, which provides flood-risk-reduction benefits to the City of Milton-Freewater, and surrounding residences and businesses. The drop structure also provides erosion protection for the Eastside Road and a railroad bridge, and includes a fish ladder that provides migration access to the upper Walla Walla River for salmonid species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Without repair, the drop structure will likely continue to deteriorate and may eventually fail, leading to the loss of private property and public infrastructure.
On May 21, 2013 the Milton-Freewater Water Control District requested assistance from the Corps to repair the damaged drop structure. This project is in response to that request.
The Corps prepared an EA to address potential effects associated with implementation of the repair. As part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, the Corps is inviting public comment on the draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and EA. The Corps is required to consider all comments received.
The EA and draft FONSI are available on the Corps website at www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/EnvironmentalCompliance/NurseryBridge.aspx. Paper copies may be requested by writing to the Corps’ Walla Walla District at the address below, sending an email to the email address below, or calling the District’s Environmental Compliance Section at 509-527-7496.
Public comments must be emailed or postmarked no later than Wednesday, May 21, 2014, to NEPANWW@usace.army.mil; or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENWW-PD-EC, ATTN: Nursery Bridge Drop Structure EA, 201 North 3rd Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362.
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Release no. 14-030