OMAHA, Neb. – A draft environmental assessment for a proposed rehabilitation project at Conestoga Reservoir, Neb. is currently available for public review. The draft EA evaluates the environmental impacts of measures that would be used to restore aquatic habitat, water quality and recreation opportunities at the reservoir.
Conestoga Reservoir, located within the Conestoga State Recreation Area approximately 20 miles west of Lincoln, is part of the Salt Creek and Tributaries Flood Control Project authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1958. Over the years, the reservoir has been negatively impacted by sedimentation, shoreline erosion and excess nitrogen and phosphorus loading.
The proposed activities outlined in the draft EA include (1) modifying the current outlet works to allow for greater water level management flexibility, (2) removing sediment to increase reservoir depth, (3) re-grading the shoreline and constructing in-lake structures to protect the shoreline and create aquatic habitat, (4) constructing upstream sediment traps to reduce future sedimentation, and (5) renovating the fish population by restocking with desirable fish species.
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.
The public is encouraged to provide comments on the draft environmental assessment, which is available for viewing at: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Planning/EnvironmentalPlanning/DraftDocuments.aspx. Comments can be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PM-AC; ATTN: Conestoga 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 July 14, 2014.
Release no. 20140613-001