New Orleans District Releases IHNC Draft Updates
The New Orleans Engineer District has released updates to the draft mitigation plans and design related to the ongoing Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock replacement general reevaluation report.
The draft documents released address the forthcoming report’s community impact mitigation plan (also called the community opportunities plan of action), the transportation mitigation plan and design updates.
The New Orleans District has sought public participation in the development of the draft mitigation plans and invites the general public, interested parties and stakeholders to view these documents, as well as a design update, online at www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/IHNC-Lock-Replacement/Documents.
Inclusion of mitigation plans for community and traffic impacts are unique to the authorization for the IHNC Lock replacement as each are mandated by Congress for inclusion in the final report. As such, these documents are being released ahead of the full draft report and supplemental environmental impact statement to allow a complete review before being incorporated into the draft report.
While not an official comment period, feedback from the public and stakeholders is encouraged to help ensure the Corps is able to include the most up-to-date versions of these documents as part of the draft report.
The IHNC Lock replacement general reevaluation report, officially titled “Draft General Reevaluation Report and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: The Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, Louisiana, New Industrial Canal Lock and Connecting Channels Project,” is evaluating alternatives for replacement of the IHNC Lock, along with the adjacent St. Claude Bridge, that are technically feasible, economically justified and environmentally acceptable.
While the draft report is not complete, these documents are being released in an effort to continue ongoing dialogue with the residents, communities and organizations who have been working with the New Orleans District throughout the study process. Completion and internal reviews of the full draft report and environmental impact statement are still required. Once those steps are completed, a tentative release date will be available.
