USACE to Host Open House on Steamboat Island Restoration Plan

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, is hosting a public open house on March 26 to discuss plans for ecosystem restoration in Mississippi River Pool 14 near Steamboat Island.

The public open house is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. at the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center in Rock Creek Park.

The Steamboat Island Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project is a 2,630-acre island and backwater complex located in the middle section of Pool 14 of the Upper Mississippi River, between the town of Princeton, Iowa, and the mouth of the Wapsipinicon River, in Scott County, Iowa.

The project lands are federally owned and are part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

Human activity over the past two centuries in the Upper Mississippi River basin has altered the hydrology, topography, and biotic communities present in the Steamboat Island area, USACE said.

During the open house, a presentation will cover potential features being recommended for restoration and enhancement of the area and the public is invited to provide feedback and engage in discussion about the plan.

According to USACE, after the presentation, representatives from all three partnering agencies will be on hand to answer questions gather input from the community.

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