Representatives from Home Depot and the Coquille Economic Development Corp. are taking steps toward constructing the home improvement store in North Bend.

 On Jan. 24, The Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., submitted a full application for a general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 1200-C Permit for construction of storm water discharges from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

On Jan. 18, CEDCO, the business arm of the Coquille Indian Tribe, announced that it recently completed a lease agreement with Home Depot to build the 130,000- square-foot store, which will be the centerpiece of the Ko Kwel Wharf Project, a 35- to 38-acre mixed retail development. The project will be built on a 50.5-acre parcel of land north of The Mill Casino-Hotel. Construction is expected to begin as early as spring.

According to the DEQ Web site, the permit regulates storm water runoff to surface waters from construction activities and is required for all projects in the state affecting one or more acres. The application includes a description of the construction project and erosion and sediment control plans.

One condition of permit approval is a 14-day public review period in which the public can look over and comment on the application. Kristy Sewell, a storm water specialist for the Eugene office of the DEQ said if negative comments are made against the application, the applicant will have to modify the plan accordingly.

Sewell said if people do want to comment, their comments must be limited to the erosion and sediment control plan and to water quality issues.

The public notice is posted on the DEQ Web site. To view the document, those interested can visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/stormwater/swppubnotice1200c.asp, or visit http://www.oregon.gov/deq and print out a comment form or e-mail the DEQ directly.