Corps seeks public comment on Caspian tern nesting habitat reduction

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comments on its draft environmental assessment of Caspian tern habitat reduction on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary near Chinook.

The Corps proposes to reduce the Caspian tern nesting area on East Sand Island from 1.58 to 1.08 acres to decrease the number of nesting pairs on the island and reduce tern predation on endangered juvenile salmon and steelhead. The desired reduction in nesting pairs is in response to unexpectedly high nesting density exhibited by terns at the colony.

The draft environmental assessment for the proposed activity is available for public review and comment on the Corps’ Portland District website at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements.aspx.

Questions or comments regarding the draft EA should be directed to Steve Helm by phone at 503-808-4778 or email at Steve.R.Helm@usace.army.mil. Comments can also be submitted by mail to District Engineer, Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-PM-E/Steve Helm, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946.

For more information about the Caspian Tern Management Plan, visit http://www.birdresearchnw.org/Project-Info/Project-Background/Caspian-Terns/Caspian-Tern-Management-Plan/default.aspx.