Corps Seeks Public Input on Habitat Rehabilitation Project in the Twin Cities

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District is seeking public input on its plan to construct six water level management structures for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the Twin Cities.

The purpose of the control structures is to improve habitat for fish and wildlife across approximately 2,000 acres of lakes, marsh and wetland habitat. The structures would be located between Shakopee and Savage and provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal agency who runs the refuge, the ability to raise, lower and/or maintain the Blue, Fisher and Rice Lake water levels.

The water level management structures would be built to help control water levels across Blue Lake, Fisher Lake and Rice Lake. An earthen plug and a water level management structure would be constructed in the adjacent Continental Grain Marsh. Other project features include access dredging and construction access road improvements to each structure.

Water level management structures would be designed as a 5-foot wide by 6-foot tall concrete box culvert with aluminum stoplogs. A rock-lined overflow feature would be built around each control structure to minimize damage during high flow events. Dredged material from access channels would be taken to the Burnsville Landfill.

A public notice for this project, called the Bass Pond, Marsh and Wetland Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project, can be found here.

Comments concerning the proposed project will be accepted through March 11 and may be submitted to: District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North, 180 Fifth St. E., St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1638.

The Bass Pond Marsh and Wetland Habitat Restoration project is part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program, coordinated with partners in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Learn more here.