ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, released its draft Upper Mississippi River master plan and environmental assessment today, Aug. 14, and is seeking public comments.
The master plan encompasses the Upper Mississippi River from the Twin Cities to Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa.
The current plan is reflective of changes in policy related to master plan content, format and land classification. The 2020 master plan is based on regional and local needs, resource capabilities, suitability, and expressed public interests consistent with authorized project purposes, pertinent legislation and regulations. It provides a district-level policy consistent with national objectives, other state and regional goals and programs. The Corps completed its first master plan for this area in 1948. Additional updates occurred in 1983 and 1988, as well as a 2011 land use allocation plan.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, a final determination master plan’s draft environmental assessment will be made following a 30-day public review period. A copy of the draft EA can be viewed and downloaded from the St. Paul District website at: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/Public-Notices/.
The public review and comment period on the documents begins today, Aug. 14 and ends Sept. 17. Questions on the master plan or environmental assessment should be directed to Trevor Cyphers at (651) 290-5031 or at UMRMasterPlan2019@usace.army.mil. Please address all correspondence on this project, including formal comments on the environmental assessment, to District Commander, Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North, 180 Fifth Street East, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1678.
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Release no. 20-063