The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, requests your review of the Environmental Assessment (SEA) titled, Lock and Dam 14 Mooring Cell, Mississippi River Pool 15, dated October 2021. The District is interested in your review and comments regarding the alternative analysis and the tentatively selected plan for this project to fulfill the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.
The public is invited to submit comments regarding the alternative analysis and preferred alternative for this project through November 22, 2021.
Comments can be submitted via this online COMMENT FORM, through email at: PublicInvolvement@usace.army.mil, or by writing to the address below.
To request a paper copy or CD, contact the District’s Environmental Compliance Branch at 309-794-5791, email: PublicInvolvement@usace.army.mil, or write to:
District Engineer
US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District
Attn: Hoffman (PD-C)
Clock Tower Building
P. O. Box 2004
Rock Island IL 61204
PROJECT INFORMATION
The District is proposing to construct a mooring cell in the Mississippi River, Pool 15 for tows waiting to lock upstream through Lock and Dam 14. The site under consideration is approximately one mile below Lock and Dam 14 at approximate River Mile (RM) 491.9, near the left descending bank (LDB) below Illiniwek State Park and adjacent to Hampton, Illinois. Under current conditions, towboats awaiting passage through Lock 14 must move close to shore and either ground their barges or maintain engine power within the area to hold position.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
- No Action
- Construction of a mooring cell at RM 491.9 LDB (Site 2 on Figure 1)
- Construction of a mooring cell at RM 492.5 LDB (Site 1 on Figure 1)
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Construction of a mooring cell at RM 491.9 LDB is the preferred alternative (Site 2 as shown on Figure 1). No channel marker buoys would need to be relocated. Construction of a mooring cell at this site would leave upbound tows slightly farther downstream while waiting to lock through Lock 14. This location would not adversely impact the entrance to the Safe Harbor Marina.
The mooring cell would be approximately 31 feet in diameter and constructed of steel sheet piling with concrete fill and foundation. The riverbed is predominantly shale in this area; therefore, the construction of a berm around the base of the cell to enhance stability is not anticipated. The base of the mooring cell would be placed at a depth of approximately 14 feet of water and cover an area of approximately 963 square feet (0.02 acres). The mooring cell would displace approximately 500 cubic yards of river water.