Columbia Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program 2016
The following comments were submitted in response to the open comment period described below.
Comments are numbered consecutively as they are received. Breaks in the number sequence result when comments are deleted because they
were submitted in error or have inappropriate content (such as SPAM). If you do not see your comment two business days after
you submit it, please contact (800) 622-4519.
BPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed a draft environmental assessment (EA) of the Columbia Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program. Estuary restoration activities are currently reviewed on an individual basis. The agencies are now proposing to review the projects together as part of a program, to reduce the time needed to conduct environmental review and reduce duplicative environmental analysis without compromising environmental protections. The effects of moving toward this programmatic approach are discussed in the draft EA available on the project website.
For More Information:
http://www.bpa.gov/goto/EstuaryRestorationProgram
Close of comment: 5/23/2016
- CERP 0002 -
O'ConnorSee attachment
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- CERP 0004 -
LarsonPlease continue reviewing projects on an individual basis instead of collectively. When an individual basis is used, the affected parties are apt to be much more aware of the proposals, thence better informed and in better positions to comment, object or even approve.
Lumping the projects together as a "program" masks potential effects to individual property owners and therefore has the same long term effect as stealing individual property rights.
The tax paying public needs to be included in decisions that affect them and their land as individuals, and not have projects hidden under giant rugs (programs) where the specifics of each local area project becomes apparent only when it is too late to challenge.
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- CERP 0005 -
Nash/Oregon Farm BureauAttached please find the comments of the Oregon Farm Bureau.
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- CERP 0006 -
Shellenberger/Yakama NationI have read through the Cultural Resources section of the EA. If you find that there are no significant impacts then there won't be surveys for the restoration projects? It seems that it would need to be on a case by case basis given that we don't know all of the projects and their location. I think we would be in favor of the Restoration Project I just want to make sure I know what exactly we are agreeing to and what we are not agreeing to. Let me know.
- CERP 0007 -
Gordon/Cowlitz Indian TribeGiven that the above-referenced project is within the Cowlitz Tribe's area of concern, the Cultural Resources Department (CRD) of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe would like to state its interest.
The CRD expects Consultation on a project-by-project basis. In addition, in the event of ground-disturbing activity, we recommend an Inadvertent Discovery Plan be attached to the permit; we have included language for your consideration.
This determination is based on all currently available knowledge, and is subject to revision should new information arise. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to working with you on this undertaking.
Thank you for your time and attention.
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