Location
Brandon Road Lock and Dam, Joliet, Illinois, Des Plaines River
Description
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has evaluated potential control options and technologies at Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent the upstream Interbasin transfer of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) while minimizing impacts to Illinois Waterway uses and users. This effort has identified a recommended plan. Implementation of the recommended plan requires congressional authorization.
Background
The Chief’s Report recommending a National Ecosystem Restoration (NER) Plan was signed on May 23, 2019, and sent to Congress. The NER Plan is a federal risk management plan including a layered system of structural controls and non-structural measures. The NER plan includes managing the waterway below Brandon Road as a ‘population reduction zone’ where monitoring and overfishing would occur. Non-structural measures implemented primarily by other federal agencies including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey can begin upon appropriation. Non-structural measures include public education and outreach, nonstructural monitoring, integrated pest management, pesticides, manual or mechanical removal, research and development and two boat launches. The Corps structural plan includes a new control point at Brandon Road Lock and Dam in addition to the control point that is already provided by the electric dispersal barrier at Romeoville, Illinois. The new structural control point would include the Technology Alternative Acoustic Fish Deterrent with Electric Barrier, which includes, acoustic fish deterrent, bubble curtain, an engineered channel, an electric barrier, and flushing lock.
This NER plan alternative was selected because it meets the project objective by reducing the risk of Mississippi River Basin aquatic nuisance species establishment in the Great Lakes Basin to the maximum extent possible, and provides for continued navigation and minimization of impacts to other waterway users and uses. Total Estimated project cost of the NER Plan is $830,784,000 which is cost shared 65/35 and can be broken into phases.
Status
The Corps of Engineers and the State of Illinois signed a design agreement to complete Pre-Construction Engineering and Design (PED) for the Brandon Road Project on Dec. 29, 2020. Design can begin when funds are received. Illinois coordinated a third party agreement with Michigan to cost share and collaborate the non-federal portion of the project. Cost sharing for design is 65/35 Federal/Non-federal. Design is estimated to take three to four years to complete, subject to the availability of funds.
Additional Information
Construction of the project was authorized in WRDA 2020. Construction can begin when the following are complete: a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) is signed, design to award the first contract is complete, construction funds are appropriated by the Government and non-federal sponsor, and real estate is acquired. Cost sharing for construction is 80/20 Federal/Non-federal per WRDA 2020. Construction is estimated to take 6 to 8 years to complete however the timeline for structural implementation will be further developed in the design phase. OMRR&R is cost shared 80/20 Federal/Non-federal per WRDA 2018.
Completed Activities
- ASA(CW) approval guidance - 9/29/2014
- DCG-CEO Approval of 3x3x3 Exemption - 4/6/2015
- Alternatives Milestone - 6/15/2015
- Tentatively Selected Plan Milestone - 12/7/2016
- Release Draft Report for Public Review - 8/7/2017
- Completion of Public Review – 12/8/2017
- Agency Decision Milestone – 4/5/2018
- District Quality Control Review – 6/25/2018
- Agency Technical Review of Draft Report – 7/18/2018
- Senior Leaders Review Board Milestone – 10/12/ 2018
- State & Agency Review Completed – 2/22/2019
- Chief’s Report Milestone – 5/23/2019
- Signed Design Agreement – 12/29/2021
Scheduled Activities
Initiate design – FY 21; pending funding.
Congressional Interest
The Brandon Road Lock and Dam is located in IL-11 congressional district; however, the Brandon Road Study has congressional interest that includes the State of Illinois congressional delegation as well as all the congressional members from the Great Lakes states.
Authority
Section 3061(d) of the WRDA 2007, PL 110-114, as amended by Section 1538 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, PL 112-141
Summarized Project Costs
| |
Study Cost |
PED Estimate |
| Estimated Fed Cost |
$8,286,000 |
$18,749,250 |
| Estimated Non-Fed Cost |
$0 |
$10,095,750 |
| Estimated Total Project Cost |
$8,286,000 |
$28,845,000 |
| Allocation Prior to FY 2021 |
$8,286,000 |
$100,000 |
| FY 2021 Allocation |
$0 |
TBD |
| FY 2021 Total Capability |
$0 |
TBD |
Major Work Item Current Year
FY 2021: Initiate design, pending funding.