A study on the impacts and alternatives to the East Locust Creek Reservoir (ELCR) were completed by as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). This was a supplemental study to the Environmental Impact Statement completed in 2006 and is required to meet the current United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requirements.
The alternatives analysis will be used by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to finalize a “404 permit.” One of the requirements of the 404 permit is a public hearing, which was held this week in Milan.
Representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the USACE and the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission’s (Commission) East Locust Creek Reservoir Project Team were present to take comments and answer questions from the public about the application. The comments will be reviewed and considered for the 404 permit.
The finalizing of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement should lead to a Record of Decision. The issuance of the Record of Decision is a significant milestone marking the completion of the NEPA requirements for the project.
There are other requirements for other permits in the works, such as a State Dam Safety Permit and all signs lead to construction beginning in 2021. The North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission has asked for permission to begin pre-construction activities. Those activities include providing construction access routes and timber harvest.
