ROCK ISLAND, Illinois – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is seeking public review and comment regarding a habitat restoration and enhancement project at the Keithsburg Division of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, near Keithsburg, Illinois.
The Keithsburg Division is a 1,400-acre backwater complex located in Pool 18 of the Mississippi River just north of Keithsburg, Illinois. It is made up of interconnected wetlands and floodplain habitat inside the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge. Over time, human activity has impacted the health of the aquatic, wetland and floodplain forest habitats in this portion of the refuge and it is this project’s goal to restore and bring back habitat that was once common in the area.
The Report, titled “Upper Mississippi River Restoration Feasibility Report with Integrated Environmental Assessment for the Keithsburg Division Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project,” is dated June 2018 and will be open for review and comment through July 20. The Rock Island District is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, state, local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other interested parties, in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed activity. The District will consider any comments related to the proposed project. The District will use comments to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors.
A public meeting will be held July 16, from 4-6 pm at the New Boston Community Center, 502 Main Street, New Boston, Illinois. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be broadcast live via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandDistrictUSACE starting at 4 p.m. on July 16. For more information about the public meeting, contact the Rock Island District at (309) 794-5729 or email cemvr-cc@usace.army.mil. To review and comment on the draft report, visit https://go.usa.gov/xQHBQ. For more information about the draft plan email cemvr-planning@usace.army.mil.
Release no. 18-039