摘要: |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) requested formal consultation on two proposed bridge replacement actions in the City of Seaside in a letter dated October 5, 2000. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received the request for consultation and supporting information describing the proposed action on October 10, 2000. NMFS requested additional information on October 20, 2000. Additional information was provided and NMFS considered the information adequate to evaluate project effects on November 11, 2000. The City of Seaside (City) is the applicant for the subject permit. The project consultant is OBEC Consulting Engineers of Eugene, Oregon. The construction contract has been awarded to Carter and Company of Salem, Oregon. The City of Seaside is a coastal community located along the Highway 101 corridor with a population of approximately 6,000. Tourism constitutes the areas primary source of income. The 1st Avenue Bridge is one of six bridges that cross the Necanicum River. These bridges are considered vital thoroughfares connecting the Highway 101 corridor to both oceanfront properties and the business district of Seaside. The 12 th Avenue Bridge is one of three bridges that cross Neawanna Creek. The bridge connects residential areas to Seasides business district and the Highway 101 corridor. The 1st Avenue and 12th Avenue Bridges were built in 1960 and are both exhibiting structural deficiency and decay. This biological opinion (Opinion) considers the potential effects of the proposed action on Oregon Coast (OC) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), which occur in the proposed project area. OC coho salmon were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on August 10, 1998 (63 FR 42587). Critical habitat was designated on February 16, 2000 (65 FR 7764) and protective regulations were issued under section 4(d) of the ESA on July 10, 2000 (65 FR 42423). |