Wacouta Bay restoration project for public review

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District is seeking public comments on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed ecosystem restoration project in Wacouta Bay.

Wacouta Bay is located near the head of Lake Pepin in Pool 4 of the Upper Mississippi River. The lands in the area are owned by the state of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is the non-federal sponsor for the proposed Corps of Engineers’ project.

The proposed project includes improving and restoring habitat by building peninsulas, creating and enhancing flood plain forest, improving shoreline protection, dredging for fish habitat and using dredged material to create emergent wetlands.

A final determination on the draft EA will be made following a 30-day public review period. The deadline for sending comments on the proposed project is September 29.