St. Paul District Seeks Comment On Updated UMR Pool 6 Dredged Material Plan
The St. Paul Engineer District is seeking comments on its updated draft dredged material management plan and integrated Environmental Assessment, or EA, for the Mississippi River’s Pool 6.
The updated draft plan describes what the Corps proposes to do with the dredged material, or river sand, near Winona, Minn., once it’s removed from the Mississippi River navigation channel. If approved, the new plan would ensure that Corps officials can economically manage dredged river sand for at least the next 20 years, while also protecting the environment. The updated draft plan is the culmination of extensive work with the city of Winona and to develop shared solutions within the community.
The updated plan includes three focus areas. First and foremost, the plan no longer includes a Winona Harbor expansion due to input received as part of the 2020 public review. It also adds two placement opportunities and a transfer site next to the Minnesota Maritime Art Museum.
The Corps’ primary goal remains focused on managing river sand within Pool 6 through beneficial reuse for activities such as general construction fill, cattle bedding and winter road traction.
“We have successfully relied on this approach for the better part of 25 years and believe it will continue for the foreseeable future,” said Paul Machajewski, St. Paul District dredged material manager. He added that historic examples of the nearly 1 million cubic yards of river sand that have been utilized in Winona since 1981 include County Road 107, Winona Tech Park and the site that Fleet Farm sits on. Future opportunities include the roundabout road construction in Winona.
The Corps is hosting an open house to discuss the draft plan and EA June 22 at the Winona Historical Society, 160 Johnson St., Winona, MN, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. People needing special accommodations are asked to contact Bob Edstrom at 651-290-5026 or robert.k.edstrom@usace.army.mil no later than June 20.
Comments on the draft EA should be submitted no later than July 15 via regular mail by addressing all correspondence on this project to District Engineer, St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North; 180 Fifth Street East; Suite 700; St. Paul, MN 55101-1638, or by email at StPaulDMMP@usace.army.mil.
