Omaha, Neb. – A draft environmental assessment for the proposed installation of a wastewater discharge pipe at the Cargill plant in Blair is currently available for public review.
Cargill, Inc., is proposing to install approximately 600 feet of new polyethylene wastewater discharge pipe (not to exceed 48-inch capacity) adjoining an existing discharge pipe that outlets into the Missouri River. The new pipe outfall at the Missouri River will be supported by an H-pile steel support that will be installed along the river bank at an approximate elevation of 993.00 feet. Placement of rock riprap is proposed at the outlet. Temporary impacts are anticipated to 0.09 acres of emergent wetlands. To minimize any potential impacts to sturgeon species, construction of the outfall structure adjacent to the Missouri River would not occur between Feb. 1 and July 31 in a given calendar year.
This draft EA is consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Corps’ regulations for implementing NEPA (33 CFR 325 and Engineering Regulation 200-2-2) and other applicable environmental laws and regulations.
This assessment is being completed in accordance with the CEQ regulations in Section 1506.5(a) and 1506.5(b), which allows an applicant to prepare an EA for a federal action. The Corps has independently evaluated and verified the information and analysis in this EA and takes full responsibility for the scope and content contained herein.
The public is encouraged to provide comments on the draft environmental assessment. The draft supplemental environmental assessment is available for viewing at: https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Planning/Project-Reports/. Comments can be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PMA-C; ATTN: Cargill Draft EA; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901. Comments can also be emailed to: cenwo-planning@usace.army.mil. Comments must be postmarked or received no later than June 21, 2019.
Release no. 19-075