[StBernard] Draft MRGO ecosystem restoration plan available for public review: Public meeting in Chalmette on Jan. 20

[Westley Annis]

Draft MRGO ecosystem restoration plan available for public review

Public meeting in Chalmette on January 20; public comment period open

 

NEW ORLEANS, LA -The Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Feasibility
Study report describing the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Ecosystem
Restoration plan is available for 45-day public review.

 

The report, prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans
District and partners, outlines the recommended plan for restoring coastal
wetlands affected by the MRGO shipping channel.

 

"The report describes the draft plan for construction of a variety of
coastal restoration features," says Gregory Miller, Chief of the Plan
Formulation Office. "If implemented as proposed, these features would
restore vital coastal wetlands, and historic fish and wildlife habitats in
estuaries east of the Mississippi River. The plan includes coastal
restoration projects in St. Bernard Parish, Orleans Parish, and St. Tammany
Parish."

 

The recommended MRGO Ecosystem Restoration Plan would benefit the Central
Wetlands, Lake Borgne, Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi Sound, and the
Biloxi Marsh in St. Bernard Parish. Features outlined in the plan include
creating marsh using dredges, planting cypress trees and other swamp and
wetland vegetation, protecting shorelines with breakwaters, creating oyster
reefs, and diverting freshwater from the Mississippi River near the
community of Violet, LA to reduce salinity and enhance wetlands and fishery
productivity.

 

The plan also includes proposed public access recreation features in Shell
Beach, Meraux and the Lower 9th Ward. The coastal restoration plan is a
follow-up report to the 2008 deauthorization plan that the Corps implemented
to close the MRGO ship channel with a rock barrier at Bayou La Loutre. 

 

During the 45-day public comment period, the Corps will host public meetings
to present the recommended plan for construction and to formally gather
public comments. The public meetings are scheduled for:

 

.        Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 

C.F. Rowley School, 49 Madison Avenue, Chalmette, LA 70043

Open house 6 to 6:30. Presentation and discussion 6:30

 

.        Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011

Leo Seal Community Center, 529 Highway 90, Waveland, MS 39576

Open house 6 to 6:30. Presentation and discussion 6:30

 

The report and other documents are available for review and download at
www.mrgo.gov or by request. Questions or comments concerning the MRGO
Ecosystem Restoration project should be addressed to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

c/o Public Affairs

PO Box 60267

New Orleans, LA 70160-0267

Phone: 504-862-2201

Fax: 504-862-1724

E-mail: AskTheCorps at usace.army.mil <mailto:AskTheCorps at usace.army.mil> 

 

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