Micheal Clements, NAFB News Service

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District seeks comments on its master plan draft for the Upper Mississippi River and environmental assessment. Released last week, the master plan encompasses the Upper Mississippi River from the Twin Cities to Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa. The current plan reflects changes in policy related to master plan content, format and land classification. The 2020 master plan is based on regional and local needs, resource capabilities, suitability, and expressed public interests consistent with authorized project purposes, pertinent legislation and regulations. It provides a district-level policy consistent with national objectives, other state and regional goals and programs. The Corps completed its first master plan for this area in 1948. Additional updates occurred in 1983 and 1988, as well as a 2011 land-use allocation plan. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, a final determination of the master plan’s draft environmental assessment will be made following a 30-day public review period.