Army Corps looking for river study sponsor

Prairie, wetland

habitat losses

are issues

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking for corporate sponsorship and public involvement with a Minnesota River Basin Reconnaissance study.

About a dozen people attended a public meeting hosted by project manager Craig Evans Wednesday at the New Ulm Armory.

Purpose of the $200,000 study is to determine if more improvements are needed for navigation, flood control, recreation, low-flow augmentation and other water and land resources.

The study is designed to identify ways to reduce flood damage, improve ecosystems, water quality and navigation in the river basin. It is the first step for more planning studies and federal construction projects.

It will determine if water and land resource problems warrant federal participation and if there are non-federal partners willing to help pay for additional studies.

Since settlement, the native prairie has been replaced by agricultural drainage systems. More than 90 percent of wetlands that existed pre-settlement have been drained or filled.

The Minnesota River contributes substantial sediment and nutrient loads to the Mississippi River. Flooding magnitude and frequency in the river basin have increased dramatically in recent years, causing extensive damage and requiring emergency action.

Evans fielded a question regarding dredging the Minnesota River. He said that is done only to maintain a 9-foot navigation channel in the lower 15 miles of the river, between Savage to the Mississippi River confluence.

Other issues discussed included flooding on the Rush River in Sibley County.

The project is studying the Rapidan Dam near Mankato and the Marsh Lake Dam near Appleton. Rapidan Dam issues include repairing fish passage blockage. Marsh Lake Dam issues include degraded habitat and draw down every 5-10 years to create habitat for fish and ducks.

The current study began in April 2003. A final report will be issued next month. Project management plans including cost-sharing agreements will be created later this year.

Non-federal funds can be cash or in-kind services. There is no feasibility phase money in the 2005 federal budget. Efforts are on hold until Congressional funding is approved.

For more information, contact Evans at US Army Corps of Engineers, 190 E. 5th Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1638. Call (651) 290-5594. E-mail craig.o.evans@usace.army.mil