March 11th, Japanese Tsunami arrives in Depoe Bay
Although Tsunami damaged Dock #1 has been given a temporary patch, city officials are wondering when a permanent fix will be possible. The money’s lined up from FEMA, the city’s insurance company and the rest from the city, but getting the permits from the federal Army Corps of Engineers and others is taking longer than anyone thought. Keep in mind that under Oregon law, construction in any water body that is habitat for fish has a November to February time window. State regulators don’t want construction activity to foul the water or disorient migrating fish. If a project isn’t done between November and February, the construction crews come out of the water and wait ’til next November.
Getting an environmental permit from the Corps usually takes up to two years. Depoe Bay Public Works Diector Terry Owings said the temporary fix to Dock 1 may not last that long. He says he’s gotten word that the Corps may cooperate and issue a permit in less time based on the urgency of the situation and on the fact that it’s a replacement for a dock that had been in the water for decades. If they do a hurry-up permit issue, Owings said they could drive the new pilings, hook up the new electrical and install all prefabricated sections of the new dock within thirty days.
Owings told NewsLincolnCounty.com, “I’m hoping we can get it done.”
