A structure on the Long Tom River near Monroe is slated for removal, but first officials want public input. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with the city of Monroe and the Tribe of Siletz to study what’s called the Monroe Drop Structure.
Also called a low barrier dam, it was built in the 1940s as part of the Fern Ridge Dam project to manage the Willamette River system.
The structure is the first barrier that salmon encounter on their way upriver. Removing it will help restore habitat and river health.
Elliott Porter, a planner with the Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said they looked at a number of alternatives to get fish around or over the structure. The preferred alternative was to remove the structure.
The Corps wants to hear from the public before making a final decision.
“The community has a lot of knowledge and information associated with the way that the structure interacts with their community, what they’ve seen historically in terms of risk or water quality, or other concerns and considerations," Porter said. "So we’re looking for that feedback."
The virtual public information session to discuss the recommended plan is June 13, 2023 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Meeting link: https://usace1.webex.com/usace1/j.php?MTID=m08b7c767349514db8e970bc87f0d0804
Meeting number: 2760 985 3259
Password: 2PMpDRMK*68
Access code: 2760 985 3259
Join by video system: Dial 27609853259@usace1.webex.com
You can also dial 207.182.190.20 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone:
1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
1-669-234-1177 US Toll
The public can also submit comments about the recommended plan to nwp-longtom-ecores@usace.army.mil. Comments must be submitted by June 30, 2023.
More information about the public meeting is available on the Portland District website: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/3408241/public-comment-period-open-for-long-tom-channel-improvement-project/
