Study Overview
In January 2021, a draft disposition study for Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam was published. Under the direction of Congress, lands surrounding the lock and dam will be conveyed to the city of Minneapolis. The draft disposition study report recommends disposal of the remainder of Upper St. Anthony Falls lock and dam.
A final disposition study report and recommendations will be prepared following verification of lands to be conveyed to the city of Minneapolis.
Disposition studies, authorized under Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970, examine the benefits and costs of continuing to operate federal projects which are no longer serving their authorized purpose. Disposition studies are proposed for the Corps properties at Upper St. Anthony Falls, Lower St. Anthony Falls and Lock and Dam 1. A combined study of the three facilities began April 2018 and public meetings were held in July 2018.
The Water Resources and Development Act of 2018 directed that a disposition study for Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam be completed separately from the other two sites (see Sections 1168 and 1225 below). As such, the study was re-scoped to focus just on Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam. A separate study for Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam 1 will be conducted in the future.
The disposition study for Upper St. Anthony Falls, resumed in May 2019. A draft report recommending full disposal was made available for public comment in December 2020. A public meeting was held March 3, 2021.
Comments on the draft report were due March 18, 2021. A redacted copy of comments received is available here. These comments will be addressed in the final report.
The Water Resources and Development Act of 2020 was signed into law December 27, 2020, and directed that lands at Upper St. Anthony Falls be conveyed to the city of Minneapolis or their designee, and that the federal government provide the city of Minneapolis or its designee licenses on the remaining property for a comprehensive recreational, touristic and interpretive experience. Excerpts from WRDA 2018 and 2020 are linked below:
The St. Paul District is working with the city of Minneapolis to identify and expedite the lands and licenses to be conveyed under WRDA 2020. The St. Paul District has begun Section 106 coordination required under the National Historic Preservation Act. The disposition study report and integrated Environmental Assessment for Upper St. Anthony Falls will be finalized following completion of these tasks. Federal property disposal is managed by the General Services Administration as governed by federal law.