Providing wetland delineation and reporting for a fiber optic line through challenging terrain along the Oregon coast

Eugene to Reedsport Fiber Optic Project

Not only does the scenic Oregon coast boast amazing views, it’s also home to communities that need access to reliable internet. To help fill a critical gap in local broadband connectivity, we partnered with the Zayo Group.

Our team performed wetland delineation and reporting for a 90-mile (145-kilometre) fiber optic line along narrow, winding coastal roads. These, along with crossings at the Umpqua and Siuslaw Rivers, proved challenging for construction and conducting baseline surveys. We evaluated five potential locations to run the fiber optic conduit, under and over the rivers per Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management, we also conducted species surveys for compliance with the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act Section 7 and relevant national policy acts.

To avoid impacts to “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS)—this rule defines which streams and wetlands are protected by the Clean Water Act—we recommended staying in the uplands and within the filled road prism or otherwise routing under or over streams with various techniques. These included using existing bridge structures and horizontally boring under the rivers. After conducting routing and siting feasibility analyses to avoid potential protected environmental resources, Zayo used avoidance and reduction efforts to help protect these waters.

Because of these efforts in challenging terrain, communities along the Oregon coast will enjoy greater internet connectivity.