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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Paul District
Public Affairs Office
332 Minnesota St., Suite E1500
St. Paul, MN 55101

Phone: (651) 290-5807
Fax: (651) 290-5752
cemvp-pa@usace.army.mil 

 

Corps seeks public comments on Chippewa River bank stabilization project

Published June 12, 2012
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is proposing to stabilize and protect the banks along the banks of the Chippewa River Diversion approach channel.
For the east bank, about 900 linear feet of the bank would be re-shaped and lined with rock. Excess material (likely soil, sand, gravel) will be stockpiled nearby and made available to the public and other entities. For the west bank, some additional rock would be added to an area already lined with riprap. This work would involve the operation of heavy equipment, including backhoes, trucks and dozers. The work is anticipated to require about 10 working days and would occur during the fall or winter months of 2012, depending on hydrological conditions and available funds and resources.
The Chippewa River Diversion is a gated structure controlling downstream flows for flooding purposes near the city of Watson, Minn. (Chippewa County). The approach channel has experienced substantial bank erosion caused by high flows and ice, usually during early spring. Without stabilization measures, high flows would continue to eat away at the banks, potentially leading to failure of the diversion structure.

An Environmental Assessment has been prepared by the St. Paul District and is available for public review and comment for a period of 30 days. Comments will be accepted until July 13. A copy of these documents can be obtained by contacting the St. Paul District or by visiting the district website at: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/docs/EA%2006_11_12.pdf.
For more information on the bank stabilization work, contact David Potter, the Corps' environmental specialist for the project, at 651-290-5713. For information on excess material, contact Randy Melby, Corps park ranger at the Laq qui Parle Dam, at 320-269-6303.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood risk reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. It contributes around $181 million to the five-state district economy. The 700 employees work at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

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Release no. 12-060