PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The Oregon Department of Transportation has a plan to ease flooding on Highway 101 near Seaside and help the environment.

The plan calls for removing a levee to create a wetland of more than 100 acres.

The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/V6O0sz ) the wetland will serve as a water storage area to hold heavy rains. The highway has been flooded four times already this year by big rains that coincide with high tides.

The Transportation Department found a willing partner for the project in the North Coast Land Conservancy which purchased the former pasture land in 2003 with plans for environmental restoration.

Work on removing the levee can begin as soon as the weather permits.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com

Copyright 2012 The AP.