Army Corps Seeks Comments for Mount St. Helens EIS (USA)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is beginning the scoping process for a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on its Mount St. Helens long-term sediment management program.

The public is invited to comment on the scope of the Supplemental Environmental Impact until April 6, 2013.

The Portland District is planning its long-term management of the Mount St. Helens Sediment Retention Structure through the year 2035. The purpose and need for the SRS is to maintain flood-risk protection at specified levels for the cities of Castle Rock, Lexington, Kelso and Longview, Wash.

Scoping is the initial stage of the SEIS process, which is used to identify issues, alternatives and impacts to be addressed in the National Environmental Policy Act analysis. The four proposed alternative plans will be presented at the scoping meetings and the public will be asked to provide written comments.

The Corps is hosting two public meetings, March 6 in Kelso, Wash., and March 13 in Toutle, Wash.

Each meeting will include a brief presentation, display materials and an opportunity to ask questions of members of the SEIS team.

Mount St. Helens erupted May 18, 1980, blasting more than 3 billion cubic yards of volcanic ash and debris 14 miles into the sky and thundering down the mountain in an immense landslide of mud and rock. Congress assigned the Portland District the responsibility and authority to find long-term solutions to manage the continuing flow of sediment and reduce flooding.

[mappress]

Press Release, February 27, 2013