Posted on September 19, 2022
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is requesting public comments for the proposed installation of a flow control feature within Neptune Pass, a newly enlarged pass on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from Buras in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The public comment period begins on Sept. 16 and concludes on Oct. 16, 2022.
A draft environmental assessment (EA) titled “Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Neptune Pass Rock Closure EA #589” and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, is available for public review and comment. The document provides an assessment of potential impacts associated with implementing the proposed action for constructing a flow control feature within Neptune Pass designed to decrease riverbank scour and erosion within the Pass and control water flow being diverted from the Mississippi River. The purpose of the proposed action is to eliminate a navigational hazard in the river.
All comments received by the end of the public comment period will be considered in finalizing EA No. 589. Comments received and Mississippi Valley Division, New Orleans (CEMVN) District responses will be included in an appendix to the document.
The draft document was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Council on Environmental Quality’s Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), as reflected in the USACE Engineering Regulation ER 200-2-2. This draft EA provides sufficient information on the potential adverse and beneficial environmental effects to allow the District Commander, USACE, New Orleans District, to make an informed decision on the appropriateness of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a FONSI.
Comments should be mailed to the attention of:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Planning and Environment Division South
New Orleans Environmental Branch, CEMVNPDC-C
7400 Leake Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
Comments and questions may also be provided by email to tyler.stevens@usace.army.mil.
An electronic copy of the report and its appendices are located on the CEMVN District web page at:
