The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, recently released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for its proposed dredged material management plan in Pool 2 of the Mississippi River, near Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
The draft plan outlines the transportation methods and necessary land requirements to permanently place dredged material removed from the Mississippi River in Pool 2 for the next 40 years.
This plan would ensure the 9-foot navigation channel remains open and able to transport the region’s grains and other commodities to global markets. Pool 2 is a 32-mile long stretch of the river from Lock and Dam 1, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings, Minnesota.
USACE officials will also host a public meeting to discuss the draft plan and receive public comments. The meeting will take place at Cottage Grove City Hall training room, 12800 Ravine Parkway in Cottage Grove from 6-8 p.m., December 9.
According to USACE, the meeting will include a formal presentation at 6:30 p.m. highlighting the Corps’ navigation mission and the proposed dredged material management plan.