Draft report released for the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Replacement
NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District released its Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, Louisiana, New Industrial Canal Lock and Connecting Channels Project Draft Integrated General Reevaluation Report (GRR) and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) today.
Based on the current analysis presented in the draft integrated GRR/SEIS, Plan 3 is the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP). This plan includes replacement of the existing lock with a new lock having usable dimensions of 900 feet long by 110 feet wide by 22 feet deep to be constructed between the banks of the IHNC, north of the Claiborne Avenue Bridge and south of the Florida Avenue Bridge.
“Public comment is a critical part of the planning process,” said Sean Mickal, New Orleans District, lead water resources planner. “We need to ensure that the Tentatively Selected Plan was identified using the best information available.”
Before this plan can be recommended as the plan that is in the best interest of the federal government, the Corps must fully review and evaluate all comments received during a public comment period.
The general public, interested parties, and stakeholders are invited to comment on the draft integrated GRR/SEIS. The draft report contains a description of the project, an evaluation of the alternatives under consideration and an analysis of potential environmental impacts. All public comments received will be addressed and considered accordingly as part of the continued development of the TSP into a more detailed Recommended Plan.
The report is available online at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District website here: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/IHNC-Lock-Replacement/.
The Corps will host a public meeting to receive public comments; time and location to follow in subsequent media release and advertisements. The Corps will accept written comments through Feb. 21. Comments on the draft integrated report should be directed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District
c/o Mark Lahare
CEMVN-PDC-CEC
7400 Leake Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70118
Comments may also be sent to mark.h.lahare@usace.army.mil.