Corps of Engineers accepting public comment for Rivers Project Master Plan
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By Steven Spencer
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23, at the National Great Rivers Museum as they’re currently receiving public input for the revised and updated draft of the “Rivers Project Master Plan.”
“The Rivers Project Master Plan is a conceptual document that guides public use and natural resource management of over 48,000 acres of federal lands for environmental stewardship and recreation related purposes,” the Corps of Engineers’ website states. “The current Master Plan was approved in 2015. The Project area for the Master Plan extends from Mississippi River Mile 0, at Cairo, Illinois; upstream to the tail water of Locks and Dam 22, Mississippi River Mile 301, at Saverton, Missouri. Most the Project’s public lands are upstream of St. Louis, Missouri. The lower 80 miles of the Illinois River is also managed by Rivers Project and is therefore included in the update. This management effort also includes coordination with federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations.”
During the public meeting, the Corps of Engineers provided information on how the natural sources along the river are managed with 13,985 acres of USACE directly managed lands, 6,692 acres of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services cooperative land, 13,381 acres of Missouri Department of Conservation cooperative land, and 14,614 acres of Illinois Department of Natural Resources cooperative lands.
Information on the Mississippi River Restoration program, the Rivers Project Environmental Stewardship Team, and environmental efforts along the river was also provided.
Comments on the Rivers Project Master Plan may be submitted until Friday, Feb. 14, and can be submitted directly via email to [email protected] or mailed or hand delivered to Rivers Project Office at 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386.
More information on the Rivers Project Master Plan as well as the documents for the updated plan and an environmental assessment can be found online at https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Rivers-Project-Office/Master-Plan/.
