Corps seeks public comments on Big Sand Lake shoreline stabilization

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is seeking public comments on its draft environmental assessment for the proposed Big Sand Lake shoreline stabilization project in Burnett County, Wisconsin, within the St. Croix Chippewa Reservation.

The project involves stabilizing the shoreline and increasing the safety and accessibility to Big Sand Lake for the continuation and preservation of St. Croix Chippewa’s water-dependent traditional cultural practices. Specifically, the project includes stabilizing the shoreline and beach, construction of small retaining walls to stabilize the steep slope from the lakeshore to an upper gathering area, an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant path and parking to provide lake access for tribal members with differing physical abilities and vegetating the re-shaped slopes with culturally significant native plants.

A draft feasibility report with integrated Environmental Assessment and subsequent appendices were prepared and coordinated in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and can be viewed at: https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/Public-Notices/.

Any comments on the draft feasibility report should be provided before Nov. 26. Persons submitting comments are advised that all comments received will be available for public review, to include the possibility of posting on a public website. Questions on the project or the feasibility report should be directed to LeeAnn Glomski at LeeAnn.M.Glomski@usace.army.mil or (651) 290-5595. Please address all correspondence on this project, to District Commander, St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North, 180 Fifth Street East, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1678.

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