The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, continues its efforts to develop a draft dredged material management plan for the Mississippi River’s Lower Pool 4, near Wabasha, Minnesota.
USACE also announced that it will not meet the self-imposed deadline of December 15 to release an updated draft plan.
The Corps staff are currently reviewing alternatives received following a public comment period this summer. They are working with their partners and the city of Wabasha to explore viable options to minimize impacts to local communities, while still ensuring the 9-foot navigation channel remains open. Further, Corps staff are exploring new options to address its dredged material placement needs, USACE said in the release.
“ Although we’re not ready to release our plan on Dec. 15 as anticipated, I believe the new plan currently being developed answers a lot of the communities’ concerns, ” said Col. Sam Calkins, St. Paul District commander .
The changes to the current draft plan are a direct result of government agencies and community leaders at every level, working collaboratively to provide the best solution for everyone involved.
USACE anticipates that the new draft plan will be ready in summer 2018.