The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District (USACE), intends to release the draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed structural modifications to the existing St. Hilaire Brothers Hermiston Farm, LLC (St. Hilaire or JSH Farms) and East Improvement District (EID) collectively, “St. Hilaire-EID” irrigation pump station, located along the south shoreline of the middle Columbia River at River Mile 301.7 in Umatilla County, Oregon.

USACE proposed to approve the issuance of a lease amendment and a temporary construction license to allow structural improvements to the existing, privately-owned pump station and intake. The modifications are intended to improve operational performance, enhance structural stability, and support long-term maintainability of the St. Hilaire-EID Pumping Station and Intake.

The 30-day public comment period begins on October 3, 2025, and closes on November 2, 2025. Comments must be postmarked or emailed no later than November 2, 2025, to be considered as part of the official record. Written comments should be mailed to:

Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

CENWW-PPL-C-2025-00XX

201 North Third Avenue

Walla Walla, WA 99362-1876

Comments may also be submitted via email to NEPANWW@usace.army.mil, inserting: “St. Hilaire-EID Pump Station” in the subject line.

 If you have questions or need additional information, please email or call Mrs. Gabriela Freitez, Environmental Resources Specialist, at 509-527-7408.