The US Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, issued today notice of plans to prepare, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, an environmental assessment (EA) for proposed urgent interim repairs to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Locks) stilling basin apron, spillway ogee, and the fish ladder, located in the Lake Washington Ship Canal (LWSC) in the City of Seattle, King County, Washington. The purpose of this Public Notice is to solicit comments from interested persons, groups and agencies on the environmental impact of the proposal and issues for consideration in the EA.
The Corps has posted the above referenced NOP for your review and comment at:
http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Environmental-Documents/ under “Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Urgent Interim Scour Repair Notice of Preparation of Environmental Assessment."
Written comments may be submitted to ATTN: CENWS-PMP, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, WA, 98124-3755, or at Kaitlin.e.whitlock@usace.army.mil. The Corps will consider all submissions received in the public comment period through June 25, 2020.
Showing posts with label US Army Corps of Engineers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Army Corps of Engineers. Show all posts
Friday, June 5, 2020
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
USACE Approves Nome Port Expansion
By Margaret Bauman
A multi- million project to expand the Port of Nome into a deep water facility for private and military needs has been approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers and sent to Congress for consideration of inclusion in the upcoming Water Resources Development Act.
The Corps’ Alaska District, in partnership with the city of Nome, produced the Port of Nome Modification Feasibility Study under the authority of Section 2006 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007: Remote and Subsistence Harbors.
The Corps’ plan became official on May 29 with the signing event in Washington DC.
According to the Corps, the report has broad support from local, state, tribal and federal entities. Kawarek Inc., the regional tribal consortium of 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Straits region of Alaska, had earlier expressed in a letter to the Corps, concerned about the potential impact of that expansion plan on several issues, ranging from cultural and archaeological resources to access to subsistence resources.
After seeing the Corps’ plan headed for Congress, Alaska’s congressional delegation rounded applauded the project, which is already recognized in the authorizing legislation, S.3591, the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, which was passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in May.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the proposed expansion is vital as traffic through the Bering Strait increases and that this will provide deepwater port access for both civilian and military vessels.
A multi- million project to expand the Port of Nome into a deep water facility for private and military needs has been approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers and sent to Congress for consideration of inclusion in the upcoming Water Resources Development Act.
The Corps’ Alaska District, in partnership with the city of Nome, produced the Port of Nome Modification Feasibility Study under the authority of Section 2006 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007: Remote and Subsistence Harbors.
The Corps’ plan became official on May 29 with the signing event in Washington DC.
According to the Corps, the report has broad support from local, state, tribal and federal entities. Kawarek Inc., the regional tribal consortium of 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Straits region of Alaska, had earlier expressed in a letter to the Corps, concerned about the potential impact of that expansion plan on several issues, ranging from cultural and archaeological resources to access to subsistence resources.
After seeing the Corps’ plan headed for Congress, Alaska’s congressional delegation rounded applauded the project, which is already recognized in the authorizing legislation, S.3591, the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, which was passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in May.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the proposed expansion is vital as traffic through the Bering Strait increases and that this will provide deepwater port access for both civilian and military vessels.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Dredging Begins in Bellingham
By Karen Robes Meeks
Efforts to return the Squalicum Waterway to its authorized width and depth are now under way.
Earlier this month, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of Bellingham launched a 45-day, $2.2 million waterfront infrastructure project, which involves dredging approximately 254,000 cubic yards of material from the waterway and transporting it by barge to disposal sites. Long Beach-based Curtin Maritime Corp has been contracted to perform the work.
“Maintenance dredging of the Squalicum Waterway is long overdue,” said Bellingham Cold Storage President Doug Thomas, whose company teamed with the port to secure the federal funding needed to perform the work.
“The federal channel was last dredged in 2004 and ongoing sedimentation has created a navigation hazard threatening the economic viability of waterfront industries like Bellingham Cold Storage which rely on a fully maintained channel,” Thomas said. “Over the past several years, vessel loading restrictions have forced us to utilize a makeshift system of loading product onto a floating barge in the middle of Bellingham Bay at considerable added expense. This system was not sustainable, and the economic development potential of our working waterfront has been compromised by increasing limitations in functionality within the Squalicum Waterway.”
Efforts to return the Squalicum Waterway to its authorized width and depth are now under way.
Earlier this month, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of Bellingham launched a 45-day, $2.2 million waterfront infrastructure project, which involves dredging approximately 254,000 cubic yards of material from the waterway and transporting it by barge to disposal sites. Long Beach-based Curtin Maritime Corp has been contracted to perform the work.
“Maintenance dredging of the Squalicum Waterway is long overdue,” said Bellingham Cold Storage President Doug Thomas, whose company teamed with the port to secure the federal funding needed to perform the work.
“The federal channel was last dredged in 2004 and ongoing sedimentation has created a navigation hazard threatening the economic viability of waterfront industries like Bellingham Cold Storage which rely on a fully maintained channel,” Thomas said. “Over the past several years, vessel loading restrictions have forced us to utilize a makeshift system of loading product onto a floating barge in the middle of Bellingham Bay at considerable added expense. This system was not sustainable, and the economic development potential of our working waterfront has been compromised by increasing limitations in functionality within the Squalicum Waterway.”
Friday, September 20, 2019
Bonneville Lock Closed
By Karen Robes Meeks
Bonneville Lock remains closed to all river traffic and Bradford and Robins Islands are closed to public access while the US Army Corps of Engineers makes repairs to the navigation lock.
The Corps announced the temporary closure on Friday, September 8, after finding a mechanical issue. The lock had been drained and inspected, and repairs to the damaged concrete are underway.
More than a dozen commercial vessels are expected to be affected by the lock closure, including seven from Tidewater Barge Lines; four from Shaver Transportation; and three from American Cruise Line, according to the Coast Guard.
"We appreciate the close coordination with Portland Army Corps of Engineers staff as we work together to ensure the safe re-opening of the lock and waterway, given the area's importance to transportation and commerce," said Capt. Alan Moore, the commanding officer at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland.
Located 40 miles east of Portland, the Bonneville Dam is the first of eight dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, a major waterway for goods flowing to and from the region.
For the latest on the lock closure, go to the USACE Portland District Lock Status Webpage with Facebook/Twitter links at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Columbia-River/BonnevilleLockStatus/
Bonneville Lock remains closed to all river traffic and Bradford and Robins Islands are closed to public access while the US Army Corps of Engineers makes repairs to the navigation lock.
The Corps announced the temporary closure on Friday, September 8, after finding a mechanical issue. The lock had been drained and inspected, and repairs to the damaged concrete are underway.
More than a dozen commercial vessels are expected to be affected by the lock closure, including seven from Tidewater Barge Lines; four from Shaver Transportation; and three from American Cruise Line, according to the Coast Guard.
"We appreciate the close coordination with Portland Army Corps of Engineers staff as we work together to ensure the safe re-opening of the lock and waterway, given the area's importance to transportation and commerce," said Capt. Alan Moore, the commanding officer at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland.
Located 40 miles east of Portland, the Bonneville Dam is the first of eight dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, a major waterway for goods flowing to and from the region.
For the latest on the lock closure, go to the USACE Portland District Lock Status Webpage with Facebook/Twitter links at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Columbia-River/BonnevilleLockStatus/
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Input Solicited on Long Beach Harbor Improvements
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Long Beach and the US Army Corps of Engineers are asking the public to weigh in on potential environmental issues related to harbor improvements.
The public will be able to comment on the Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Feasibility Study and Channel Deepening Project environmental impact statement and a study on the project’s “economic benefits, costs, increased transportation efficiencies and improved navigational safety,” according to the port.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Board Room of the port’s Interim Administrative Offices, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive in Long Beach, Calif.
Written comments can be sent to ceqa@polb.com or mailed to the Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815. Feedback must be received by 4 p.m. on March 1, 2019.
For more, visit www.polb.com/ceqa.
The Port of Long Beach and the US Army Corps of Engineers are asking the public to weigh in on potential environmental issues related to harbor improvements.
The public will be able to comment on the Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Feasibility Study and Channel Deepening Project environmental impact statement and a study on the project’s “economic benefits, costs, increased transportation efficiencies and improved navigational safety,” according to the port.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Board Room of the port’s Interim Administrative Offices, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive in Long Beach, Calif.
Written comments can be sent to ceqa@polb.com or mailed to the Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815. Feedback must be received by 4 p.m. on March 1, 2019.
For more, visit www.polb.com/ceqa.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Redwood City Channel to be Dredged
By Karen Robes Meeks
The US Army Corps of Engineers has budgeted $7.95 million toward channel dredging in the Port of Redwood City region in 2019.
“The funding of the channel dredging and federal investment into our region is great news for the Port of Redwood City, providing certainty that the Port continues to secure and expand maritime activities in the future,” said Port Commission chairwoman Lorianna Kastrop.
The Port of Redwood City is South San Francisco Bay’s only deep-water port, and the dredging will help accommodate larger ships.
“This project is significant to the economic health of the Silicon Valley region, notably the construction industry as the Port supplies construction materials to fuel construction needs locally. Additionally, dredging also supports personal water recreation use in and around the Redwood Creek Channel.”
The US Army Corps of Engineers has budgeted $7.95 million toward channel dredging in the Port of Redwood City region in 2019.
“The funding of the channel dredging and federal investment into our region is great news for the Port of Redwood City, providing certainty that the Port continues to secure and expand maritime activities in the future,” said Port Commission chairwoman Lorianna Kastrop.
The Port of Redwood City is South San Francisco Bay’s only deep-water port, and the dredging will help accommodate larger ships.
“This project is significant to the economic health of the Silicon Valley region, notably the construction industry as the Port supplies construction materials to fuel construction needs locally. Additionally, dredging also supports personal water recreation use in and around the Redwood Creek Channel.”
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Navigation Improvements Studied at Tacoma
By Karen Robes Meeks
A feasibility study focused on improving navigation to the Blair and Sitcum waterways at the Port of Tacoma will soon be launched, thanks to a cost-sharing agreement recently inked between the Northwest Seaport Alliance and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The study will explore alternatives to better navigation, such as deepening federal channels that serve the port.
“With the signing of these documents today, we begin this project to deepen the South Harbor as part of our effort to develop what will be one of the deepest gateways in the nation,” said NWSA CEO John Wolfe. “We truly value our partnership with the Army Corps. It is vital for building a stronger trade gateway and keeping ship calls and the jobs they support in the Pacific Northwest and in the US.”
“The Port of Tacoma is a rapidly expanding major port,” USACE Seattle District Commander Col. Mark Geraldi said in a statement.
“Deepening the Blair and Sitcum waterways may result in cost and time savings, potentially lowering project operations and maintenance costs, as well as potentially allowing for the removal of draft restrictions for certain vessels,” he added. “This general investigation feasibility study will determine whether there is a federal interest in participating in modifying the existing waterways.”
A feasibility study focused on improving navigation to the Blair and Sitcum waterways at the Port of Tacoma will soon be launched, thanks to a cost-sharing agreement recently inked between the Northwest Seaport Alliance and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The study will explore alternatives to better navigation, such as deepening federal channels that serve the port.
“With the signing of these documents today, we begin this project to deepen the South Harbor as part of our effort to develop what will be one of the deepest gateways in the nation,” said NWSA CEO John Wolfe. “We truly value our partnership with the Army Corps. It is vital for building a stronger trade gateway and keeping ship calls and the jobs they support in the Pacific Northwest and in the US.”
“The Port of Tacoma is a rapidly expanding major port,” USACE Seattle District Commander Col. Mark Geraldi said in a statement.
“Deepening the Blair and Sitcum waterways may result in cost and time savings, potentially lowering project operations and maintenance costs, as well as potentially allowing for the removal of draft restrictions for certain vessels,” he added. “This general investigation feasibility study will determine whether there is a federal interest in participating in modifying the existing waterways.”
Friday, June 15, 2018
Port of Seattle Seeks More Depth
By Karen Robes Meeks
US Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite has signed the Chief of Engineers Report for the Seattle Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, making it eligible for congressional authorization.
The project seeks to deepen the East and West Waterways to 57 feet below mean lower low water to improve navigation in the harbor and make room for bigger container ships.
“Both waterways are currently authorized between 34 and 51 feet below mean lower low water and some of these shallower spots present navigational and safety challenges,” said Corps Project Manager Brian Nelson. “Authorizing deepening the channels removes these challenges and ensures the port can accommodate future generations of container ships.”
Port of Seattle Commission President and Northwest Seaport Alliance Managing Member Courtney Gregoire thanked the Army Corps of Engineers.
“This is another step forward to making T-5 big ship ready, and able to handle the largest cargo vessels in the world,” Gregoire said.
US Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite has signed the Chief of Engineers Report for the Seattle Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, making it eligible for congressional authorization.
The project seeks to deepen the East and West Waterways to 57 feet below mean lower low water to improve navigation in the harbor and make room for bigger container ships.
“Both waterways are currently authorized between 34 and 51 feet below mean lower low water and some of these shallower spots present navigational and safety challenges,” said Corps Project Manager Brian Nelson. “Authorizing deepening the channels removes these challenges and ensures the port can accommodate future generations of container ships.”
Port of Seattle Commission President and Northwest Seaport Alliance Managing Member Courtney Gregoire thanked the Army Corps of Engineers.
“This is another step forward to making T-5 big ship ready, and able to handle the largest cargo vessels in the world,” Gregoire said.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Foss Provides Puerto Rico Relief
By Karen Robes Meeks
Seattle-based Foss Maritime is assisting in hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Working with a coalition of 19 US electric firms, Foss Maritime has been at the Port of Virginia in Norfolk and the Port of Lake Charles in Louisiana, putting more than 500 utility trucks onto barges headed to the Port of Ponce in Puerto Rico in an effort to restore power to the area.
Equipment such as bucket trucks, line trucks, aerial lifts, CAT skid-steer loaders, digger derricks, and pull trailers are being delivered to the region sometime between January 16-18, according to Foss.
The electric companies are part of the Edison Electric Institute, which agreed to help support the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and the US Army Corps of Engineers to restore power to the island ravaged by Hurricane Maria last September.
“This movement of hundreds of utility trucks is part of a comprehensive mobilization effort to get needed equipment to the island so utility crews can begin restoring power for the people of Puerto Rico,” said Will Roberts, Foss Chief Commercial Officer. “Foss is proud to be part of those efforts and continues to be at the ready as needs arise.”
Seattle-based Foss Maritime is assisting in hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Working with a coalition of 19 US electric firms, Foss Maritime has been at the Port of Virginia in Norfolk and the Port of Lake Charles in Louisiana, putting more than 500 utility trucks onto barges headed to the Port of Ponce in Puerto Rico in an effort to restore power to the area.
Equipment such as bucket trucks, line trucks, aerial lifts, CAT skid-steer loaders, digger derricks, and pull trailers are being delivered to the region sometime between January 16-18, according to Foss.
The electric companies are part of the Edison Electric Institute, which agreed to help support the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and the US Army Corps of Engineers to restore power to the island ravaged by Hurricane Maria last September.
“This movement of hundreds of utility trucks is part of a comprehensive mobilization effort to get needed equipment to the island so utility crews can begin restoring power for the people of Puerto Rico,” said Will Roberts, Foss Chief Commercial Officer. “Foss is proud to be part of those efforts and continues to be at the ready as needs arise.”
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Coos Bay Dredging
By Karen Robes Meeks
The public will have until October 3 to weigh in on the environmental impacts of the Port of Coos Bay’s plans to make the Federal Navigation Channel deeper and wider.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, which must sign off on the project, is putting together the environmental impact statement for the modifications, which involve deepening the channel from 37 to 45 feet and widening it from 300 to 450 feet from the channel entrance to river mile 8.2.
The public can send written comment by mail or email to the Army Corps of Engineers, which is analyzing the environmental effects of the project.
Funded through private and public funds, the $350 to $400 million project would allow for larger ships to enter the port and make navigating the channel easier.
If all the necessary permits are obtained, the port could begin dredging as soon as late 2019. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2022. Visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/coast/coos-bay/channel-modification for more information
The public will have until October 3 to weigh in on the environmental impacts of the Port of Coos Bay’s plans to make the Federal Navigation Channel deeper and wider.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, which must sign off on the project, is putting together the environmental impact statement for the modifications, which involve deepening the channel from 37 to 45 feet and widening it from 300 to 450 feet from the channel entrance to river mile 8.2.
The public can send written comment by mail or email to the Army Corps of Engineers, which is analyzing the environmental effects of the project.
Funded through private and public funds, the $350 to $400 million project would allow for larger ships to enter the port and make navigating the channel easier.
If all the necessary permits are obtained, the port could begin dredging as soon as late 2019. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2022. Visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/coast/coos-bay/channel-modification for more information
