The chromite mining company, Oregon Resources Corp., has applied for a Department of the Army permit to conduct a chromite mining operation in wetlands in the Seven Devils area south of Coos Bay.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is asking people to comment on the permit application. Comments must be received by July 8.

Oregon Resources plans to excavate heavy mineral sand deposits from five mining locations in the Cape Arago area, 9 to 12 miles south of Coos Bay. The property is west of West Beaver Hill Road. The project would impact up to 7.51 acres of wetlands and .57-acre of tributary waters. The application is under review by the Army Corps.

The sand contains high concentrations of the industrial heavy minerals: chromite, zircon and garnet. During mining, Oregon Resources will use standard excavating equipment, such as excavators, dozers and front-end loaders to remove the topsoil. The crews then will stockpile it along the margins of the mine pits. Sand deposits are generally 20-50 feet below the ground surface. The unused materials, called “tailings,” and comprising about 75 to 85 percent of the mined ore, would be returned to the mined site and used as backfill to reclaim the mined sites.

They also would use stored topsoil to cap the mined sites  and construct onsite wetland mitigation. It also would serve as a seed bank for both the mined and mitigation sites. Excess soil, referred to as overburden, would be used to construct a berm around the perimeter of the mine to comply with federal mine regulations. Oregon Resources estimates its mines would be completely mined and reclaimed within one to four years.

To reduce wetland impacts, the chromite mining company has avoided less-productive areas located in deep and steep-sloping ravines around the perimeter of proposed mine sites. That should reduce wetland impacts by approximately 10 percent and impacts to other waters by about 65 percent.

The company has submitted an erosion and sediment control plan, and a conceptual wetland plan. Those propose to offset unavoidable damage to wetlands and waters at three mitigation sites.

State requirements, leases, easements, or permits, must be obtained, in addition to the Army Corps permit before they can begin work.

In issuing the permit, all factors relevant to the mining activity will be considered, including the cumulative effects of: conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.

Public comments will be used to prepare an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments  also will be used to determine the need for a public hearing.

Comments should reference the Corps of Engineers No. NWP-2007-538. They must be received by 5 p.m. July 8. Those interested are encouraged to send their comments to both the following addresses:

n U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Michele E. Hanson, 1600 Executive Parkway, Suite 210 Eugene, OR 97401-2156; and

n Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Northwest Region, Attn: 401 Water Quality Certification Coordinator, 2020 SW Fourth Ave., Suite 400, Portland, OR 97201-4987; or faxed to (503) 229-6957; or sent via e-mail to 401publiccomments@deq.state.or.us. E-mails should be sent in Microsoft Word (through version 7.0), WordPerfect (through version 6.x) or plain text format.

DEQ will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period. Those who have submitted oral or written comments will be notified, or to receive notification of the final decision, call or write DEQ.

Additional information may be obtained from Michele E. Hanson, project manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (541) 465-6878 or e-mail michele.e.hanson@usace.army.mil.

Documents or related material are available for examination and copying at Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Northwest Region, 401 Water Quality Certification Coordinator, 2020 SW Fourth Ave., Suite 400, Portland, OR 97201-4987. While not required, scheduling an appointment will ensure documents are accessible. For an appointment,   call Jan Coomler at (503) 229-5087.

Documents are available in larger print or Braille upon request, by calling the DEQ Department of Public Affairs at (503) 229-5766 or toll free within Oregon at (800) 452-4011. People with a hearing impairment can receive help by calling DEQ’s TTY at (503) 299-6993.

The applicant’s address is: Oregon Resources Corp., P.O. Box 501, Portland, OR 97207-0501, attention Cheryl Wilson.