The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is seeking public comment on its plan to accept funds from the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay on behalf of Jordan Cove Energy Project, L.P. to review potential effects to the Coos Bay Federal Navigation Channel, in accordance with 33 USC 408 (Section 408). The Portland District will review Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P.’s proposed request to construct a marine slip at the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the bay side of the North spit of Coos Bay in Coos County, Oregon, and an access channel from the Coos Bay Federal Navigation Channel to the terminal. This Section 408 review will evaluate whether any Corps authorized civil works projects may be affected by the proposed marine slip and access channel. The Corps may accept and expend these funds pursuant to Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law No. 106-541), as amended, which provides that the Secretary of the Army, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by a non-federal public entity to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a project or activity for a public purpose under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army. In doing so, the Secretary must ensure that the use of such funds will not impact impartial decision making with respect to permits, either substantively or procedurally. A public notice describing this action is available for public review and comment on the Corps’ Portland District website at www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements.aspx.
