Upper Mississippi River draft master plan released

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, has released its draft Upper Mississippi River master plan and environmental assessment 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.

According to the Corps, 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.

USACE 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.

The public review and comment period on the documents began, Aug. 14 and will end Sept. 17.