SEATTLE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officials are seeking public comments on the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement.
The 45-day public comment period runs Oct.10 to Nov. 24, 2014. Documents pertaining to the project are available for viewing online at http://bit.ly/PSNearshore. Officials will hold a public meeting 5 to 8 p.m., Nov. 5 at Burlington City Hall Council Chambers, 833 South Spruce St., Burlington, Wash., 98233, to discuss the proposal for federal action and the alternatives considered. Comments may be submitted by email, at the public meeting or in written form.
Together, government and non-government agencies, organizations, tribes and scientists evaluated more than 500 potential restoration sites, identifying the best places and opportunities to improve the nearshore zone’s ability to provide locally- and nationally-valued resources. Eleven sites are included in the Corps’ Tentatively Selected Plan and will restore about 5,300 acres, with a $1.1billion estimated total project cost. Projects include:
- Beaconsfield Feeder Bluff, Normandy Park, Wash.
- Deepwater Slough, south of Conway, Wash.
- Deer Harbor Estuary, Orcas Island, Wash.
- Dugualla Bay, Whidbey Island, Wash.
- Everett Marshland, Everett, Wash.
- Livingston Bay, Camano Island, Wash.
- Milltown Island, south of Conway, Wash.
- Nooksack River Delta, north of Bellingham, Wash.
- North Fork Skagit River Delta, La Conner, Wash.
- Telegraph Slough, Skagit County, Wash.
- Spencer Island, Everett, Wash.
Public comments on the proposed plans and alternatives will be considered as the Corps works toward completing the final report and impact statement. The public is encouraged to visit the Corps’ website (http://bit.ly/PSNearshore) to view the drafts and supporting documents. Comments will be accepted via email to: Nearshore@usace.army.mil. Mailed comments regarding the proposed plan must be postmarked by Nov. 24, 2014, and sent to:
Ms. Nancy C. Gleason
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
CENWS-EN-ER
P.O. Box 3755
Seattle, Washington 98124-3755
For additional information call Ms. Gleason at (206) 764-6577.
Release no. 14-045