The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District announced that a draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared and is available to review for the proposed Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) recreational improvement and aquatic habitat enhancement project at Standing Bear Lake in Omaha, Nebraska.
The project proposes to remove the existing single-lane boat ramp and construct a new two-lane boat ramp; two perpendicular breakwaters would be constructed on either side of the boat ramp to protect it from wind/wave damage as well as serve as pedestrian angler access. A new kayak launch would be constructed adjacent to the boat ramp, and the parking lot would be improved to alleviate congested traffic.
Additionally, angler bump outs would be constructed on the north shore to increase angler access. Underwater shoals and vegetation barriers would be constructed throughout the lakebed and along the shoreline to enhance aquatic habitat for fisheries. Chemical renovation would be utilized to remove the existing fish population, primarily undesirable species, of Standing Bear and NGPC would stock the lake with desirable sportfish.
To implement this project, Standing Bear Lake would be drawn down from its normal operating multipurpose pool elevation of 1,104 feet to an elevation of 1,080 feet in early winter 2022.
All aquatic-based recreational activities would be closed to the public for the duration of construction until the reservoir is recharged. It is estimated the project could take up to one year to complete, with an estimated completion in fall 2023.
This draft EA is consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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 EA which 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: Rebecca Podkowka; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901.
Comments can also be emailed to: cenwo-planning@usace.army.mil and must be postmarked or received no later than November 17, 2022.