On Friday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a draft Environmental Assessment, or EA, for its proposed dredged material management plan in Pool 2 of the Mississippi River, near Cottage Grove. The draft plan outlines the transportation methods and necessary land requirements to permanently place dredged material removed from the Mississippi River in Pool 2 for the next 40 years. This plan would ensure the 9-foot navigation channel remains open and able to transport the region’s grains and other commodities to global markets. Pool 2 is a 32-mile long stretch of the river from Lock and Dam 1, in St. Paul, to Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings. Corps of Engineers officials will host a public meeting to discuss the draft plan and receive public comments. The meeting will be at Cottage Grove City Hall training room, 12800 Ravine Parkway in Cottage Grove from 6 to 8 PM, Dec. 9. The meeting will include a formal presentation at 6:30 PM, highlighting the Corps’ navigation mission and the proposed dredged material management plan. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
