Compensatory wetland mitigation method available for public comment
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hold four public workshops
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District is seeking comment on the proposed Louisiana Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method (LRAM), a new methodology developed by the Army Corps for determining compensatory wetland mitigation requirements in South Louisiana.
The draft LRAM manual and workbook can accessed on the New Orleans District website at http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Mitigation/Assessment_Method.aspx
The LRAM is a method for evaluating conditions of wetlands located on proposed project sites. This evaluation will be used to calculate unavoidable adverse impacts and compensatory mitigation associated with USACE-authorized activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The LRAM has been designed to promote consistent wetland assessments and to support data collection and comparison.
Comprised of a work manual and Excel worksheets, the intent of LRAM is to provide a rapid and repeatable assessment method that can be completed by users of various backgrounds and with limited field data. LRAM has several applications applicable to project managers, permit applicants, and mitigation bank sponsors including assisting applicants in evaluating the scale of a proposed project’s compensatory mitigation. Additionally, users can evaluate a mitigation bank site to predict potential mitigation credits available depending upon the different restoration/enhancement techniques.
The Army Corps is holding four public workshops to provide additional information on use of the new method, to answer any questions regarding the draft LRAM and to assist attendees with the public comment process. The meeting time and locations are as follows:
Workshop #1:
Date: October 27, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Open House
6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Presentation and Discussion
Location: Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70611
Workshop #2:
Date: October 28, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Open House
6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Presentation and Discussion
Location: Cade Community Center, 1688 Smede Hwy, St. Martinville, LA 70582
Workshop #3:
Date: November 3, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Open House
6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Presentation and Discussion
Location: Houma Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma, LA 70360
Workshop #4:
Date: November 4, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Open House
6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Presentation and Discussion
Location: Fleur De Lis Center, 1645 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville, LA 70471
Those wishing to comment on the LRAM are requested to submit comments in writing either by e-mail at Stephen.D.Pfeffer@usace.army.mil or by mail to the following address:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
New Orleans District
CEMVN-OD-S
Post Office Box 60267
New Orleans, Louisiana 70160-0267
All comments must be received no later than November 26, 2015.
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