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Learn how to optimize agency partnerships to streamline the permitting process for environmental projects involving multiple regulatory bodies and key agencies.
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PermittingLessons Learned:How to Make the Most of Your Agency PartnershipsOctober 15, 2008 Marla Harrison, Environmental Manager
Port of Portland Facilities Four airports, four marine terminals and six business parks • At approx Columbia RM100 • 11 Species of Threatened and Endangered Salmonids • Portland Harbor Superfund Site, Reynolds Superfund Site • Dredging at Terminals and Federal Navigation Channel
Permitting Approach • Maintain relationships at multiple staff levels over time • Partner with other organizations on initiatives • PNWA • Ports • Metro • Look for new avenues to get work done • Programmatic options • Augment Resources • Underwater Grading
Primary Regulatory Agencies • U S Army Corps of Engineers • NOAA Fisheries/ National Marine Fisheries Service • Oregon Department of Environmental Quality • Oregon Department of State Lands • Regional Sediment Evaluation Team
Other Key Regulatory Agencies • U S Fish and Wildlife • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife • U S Environmental Protection Agency • U S Army Corps of Engineers • Cities of Portland, Troutdale, Hillsboro, Mulino • Counties of Multnomah and Washington • State Agencies of Washington
U S Army Corps of Engineers • WRDA 214 Position • Shared funding with Port of Vancouver, USA • Currently joint funding 120-day detail to NOAA • Expect higher level of service than outside of 214 program • Costs are spread across multiple projects
NOAA Fisheries • Exploring other resource options • Extending Corps Detail • Consultants • Port Employee • Prioritizing Projects • Share RPM’s prior to issuance of BiOp—not yet • Routine discussions regarding workload and upcoming projects
Oregon DEQ • Quarterly Meetings with Northwest Region • Routine meetings on Specific Topics • 401 Certifications • Turbidity • Dredged Material as Solid Waste
Oregon Department of State Lands • We can pay by Credit Card • They have criteria for completeness—an actual checklist • They meet deadlines • They communicate with us and are responsive • They are clear about their jurisdiction and stick to it • They appear to be interested in learning about our projects
Regional Sediment Evaluation Team • Working with Interim Final guidance • Improvements have been made • Many issues remain regarding process: • equity • accountability • repeatability • transparency
Questions? • Photo?