OMAHA, Neb. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Holy Family Parish (Sacred Heart Hall), 807 Emerson Ave., in Wynot, Neb. The purpose of the meeting is to seek public input on development of a conceptual site plan for the restoration of habitat and recreation features at the recently acquired Audubon Bend property in Cedar County, Nebraska.
The public meeting will run from 6 to 8:00 p.m. with a brief opening presentation followed by an open house session. During the open house, the Corps project team will be available at information stations to answer questions and gather public input. Ideas and input gathered from the public at this meeting will be used to develop the conceptual site plan, the document that will guide future site development.
“We are very interested to hear what the public thinks about possible restoration activities at Audubon Bend,” said Ruth Bentzinger, environmental resources specialist with the Corps of Engineers. “The conceptual site plan will provide a general framework for things like river access points, parking locations, site uses, native plantings, and other restoration features, and we want the public to tell us what they’d like to see.”
The Corps of Engineers purchased Audubon Bend in November 2009 with funding provided under the Missouri River Recovery Program. The property was purchased with the intent of restoring some of its natural features and ecological functions to provide habitat for native fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. When restored, Audubon Bend will also provide the public with numerous recreation and educational outreach opportunities.
Input may be submitted during the public meeting or mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; ATTN: CENWO-PM-AC (Ruth Bentzinger); 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901
BACKGROUND: Audubon Bend is located about two and one-half miles north of Wynot, Nebraska along the right descending bank of the Missouri River between river miles 794.0 and 790.0.
The site is situated within the 59-mile segment of the Missouri National Recreational River and consists of approximately 2,370 acres with 4.5 miles of river frontage.