WHARTON, Texas -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Officials announce today the availability of the Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the Lower Colorado River Basin Phase I – Wharton, Texas and draft Finding of No Significant Impact.
The SEA and the original 2006 Lower Colorado River Basin Phase I, Texas Interim Feasibility Report and Integrated Environmental Assessment – Final are available at https://www.swf.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Wharton/. All members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments and suggestions before August 14, 2020.
The SEA updates the environmental conditions documented in the 2006 IFR/IEA for the flood risk management project in Wharton, Texas. The SEA also documents the design changes required to ensure the function of the flood risk management measures identified in the 2006 report and assesses the impacts to the social and natural environments associated with the design changes. The design changes entail the northwestern extension of the Colorado River, the relocation of the northern end of the Baughman Slough, and the relocation of the northern Baughman Slough sump.
The Lower Colorado River Basin Phase I – Wharton, Texas project is funded under the Hurricane Damage Reconstruction and Risk Reduction Program. In 2018, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division established the $5.2 billion Hurricane Damage Reconstruction and Risk Reduction Program, funded by the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act, to reduce the risk of flooding impacts from severe storms. The program comprises 40 projects across three states (Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas) and will provide critical, enhanced flood risk reduction measures to the region. All work in the program is expected to be complete by 2027.
Comments on the proposed SEA can be emailed to Daniel.Allen@usace.army.mil or mailed to Daniel Allen, CESWF-PEE-C, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Planning and Environmental Center, Fort Worth District, P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300.
Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and social media at: https://about.me/usacefortworth
Release no. 20-041