Final week to provide public comment on Pool 9 habitat restoration project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul, MN District, is seeking comments on its draft feasibility report and integrated Environmental Assessment, or EA, for its proposed Reno Bottoms Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project on the Upper Mississippi River near New Albin.

The project is located in Pool 9 of the Upper Mississippi River within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The project sponsor is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The project aims to increase the quality and extent of floodplain forest habitat and expand fisheries overwintering habitat. Work would include forest management of over 600 acres and almost 30 acres of fish habitat.

This project is part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program. The program ensures the coordinated development and enhancement of the Upper Mississippi River system with a primary emphasis on habitat restoration projects and resource monitoring. In the 36-year history of the program, more than 55 habitat projects benefiting approximately 100,000 acres from Minneapolis, MN to St. Louis, MO have been completed.

The draft EA can be viewed at https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/Public-Notices/. Comments on the draft EA should be submitted no later than November 28 via mail by addressing all correspondence on this project to District Engineer, St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North; 332 Minnesota St., Suite E1500; St. Paul, MN 55101, or by email at renohrep@usace.army.mil.