Tribal Partnership Program: Upper Sioux Community, Minnesota River

Published April 14, 2020
Updated: April 14, 2020
Purpose

The study will assess the problems and opportunities being faced by the Upper Sioux Community on their tribal lands and make recommendations related to erosion along the Minnesota River adjacent to and impacting those lands.

Location

The Upper Sioux Community is located south of the Minnesota River in Yellow Medicine County, approximately four miles south of the city of Granite Falls, Minnesota.

Description

On January 9, 2019, the Upper Sioux Community requested the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for riverbank stabilization on the Minnesota River.

Status

A feasibility cost share agreement between the Corps and the Upper Sioux Community was signed on January 28, 2020. Federal funding for the study was provided in March 2020. The study will begin by coordinating and validating the scope, schedule and budget for the study with the Upper Sioux Community. The study will include conducting an inventory of existing information, and developing additional information as necessary to formulate alternatives, analyzing costs, benefits and environmental impacts, and recommending a tentative plan on how to address the erosion challenges.

Authority

The Tribal Partnership Program is authorized by Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law 106‒541). The Tribal Partnership Program provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work with Indian nations to study and determine the feasibility of carrying out projects that will substantially benefit Indian nations.

Funding

FY 2020:
Begin Feasibility Study                                  $175,000

Feasibility studies cost share agreements qualify for a cost share waiver of up to $484,000 for the study and a separate waiver of up to $484,000 for design and construction.