The independent., May 16, 2002, Page 4, Image 4

Page 4
The INDEPENDENT, May 16, 2002
Business Notes
Apply now for permits to work in streams during this summer
Landowners
considering
work this summer in streams or
on streambanks, are reminded
to check with the Division of
State Lands on the need to ap­
ply for a removal-fill permit be­
fore starting work and to apply
soon if a permit is needed.
Steve Purchase, DSL assis­
tant director, encouraged peo­
ple planning streamside or wet­
land projects to contact DSL at
least three months before they
plan to do the work. “Before be­
ginning an application, land-
owners should talk to one of
our staff members to determine
whether a permit is necessary
or whether a streamlined type
of permit (a General Authoriza­
tion) might suffice,” he said.
Purchase reported that the
agency’s Web site has incorpo­
rated new features to help peo­
ple understand the application
process for a removal-fill per­
mit. A new introductory page
provides information and offers
quick links to other helpful
pages, including:
Field Operations Staff - ar­
eas served, phone numbers
and e-mail addresses.
Working with Consultants -
advice on choosing an environ­
mental consultant to assist with
permit applications and a list of
consultants providing services
in Oregon and Washington.
Application Review Process
- detailed explanation of the
criteria and process DSL staff
uses to approve or deny an ap­
plication.
Examples of forms and doc­
uments that often are needed
to accompany applications, are
listed under “Permit filing help.”
People without Web access
may request print versions by
calling the DSL office in Salem
or Bend. New materials have
been added for people who re­
quest a removal-fill application.
DSL also recently developed a
survey that is sent to permit ap­
plicants at the end of the permit
process.
In general, Oregon’s Re­
moval-Fill Law requires people
who will remove or fill 50 cubic
yards or more of material in wa­
ters of the state to obtain a per­
mit from the Division of State
Lands. “Waters of the state” in­
clude natural waterways such
as intermittent streams, con­
stantly flowing streams, lakes,
wetlands and other bodies of
water.
The movement of ANY ma­
terial in streams designated as
essential salmon habitat or in a
state scenic waterway may re­
quire a permit, according to
Purchase.
Purchase said that another
factor to be considered is when
to perform the work. There are
in-water work periods associat­
ed with most streams in order
to reduce potential impacts to
important fish, wildlife and habi­
tat resources. In many bodies
of water, the preferred in-water
work period begins in June or
July and ends in August or Sep­
tember, Purchase noted.
Information about the re­
moval-fill program is also avail­
able on the agency’s Web site.
Go to the removal-fill heading
on the left-side list under “Di­
rect links.” People without Inter­
net access should call either
the Salem office (503) 378-
3805 or the Bend office (541)
388-6112.
Additional information and
technical assistance for pro­
jects can be obtained from local
Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife offices and local
Soil and Water Conservation
Districts.
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