Corps of Engineers seeks comments on draft master plan for its four western Minnesota reservoirs

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is seeking public comments on its draft master plan and environmental assessment for Orwell Lake, near Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Lake Traverse, near Wheaton, Minnesota; Lac qui Parle Dam, near Watson, Minnesota; and Highway 75 Dam, near Odessa, Minnesota.

The draft master plan would guide the district’s management and development of natural, recreational and cultural resources at the four western Minnesota reservoirs. Once complete, it will replace the current master plan that was approved in 1997. The plan does not address the technical aspects of water level management, water quality, shoreline management or operation and maintenance of project operations facilities.

The draft environmental assessment was drafted to identify and evaluate potentially significant impacts due to the proposed updates of the master plan as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. A final determination will be made following a 30-day public review period.           

The draft master plan and environmental assessment can be viewed and downloaded from the St. Paul District website at: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/PublicNotices.aspx.    

A public review and comment period on the draft environmental assessment begins today and will end Oct. 23. Questions and comments concerning the project should be directed to LeeAnn Glomski, biologist, at 651-290-5595 or leeann.m.glomski@usace.army.mil. Please address all correspondence on this project to Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, Attention: Regional Planning and Environment Division North, 180 Fifth St. E., Suite 700, St. Paul, MN 55101-1678.

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