LRE-2023-00206-38-S23

5/1/2023
Proposed Mechanical Dredging and Dredged Material Placement in Lake Superior at Marquette, Michigan

LRE-2020-01262-56-S23

4/25/2023
Proposed Filled Dock in Lake Michigan at Beaver Island, Michigan

Notice of Availability of the Beta Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods for the Northeast and Southeast

4/12/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Baltimore, Buffalo, Charleston, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Worth, Galveston, Huntington, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis, Mobile, Nashville, New England, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Savannah, St. Louis, Tulsa, Vicksburg, and Wilmington Districts, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 jointly announce the availability of the Beta Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods (SDAM) for the Northeast and Southeast (dated April 12, 2023). The methods are rapid assessment tools to help distinguish between ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streamflow at the reach scale for the Northeast and Southeast SDAM Regions. The beta SDAMs may help provide technical guidance for identifying waters that may be subject to regulatory jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act; however, these methods do not alter or change the definition of “Waters of the U.S.”

Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, and 404(b)(1) Evaluation for Rehabilitation of Shore Protection, Duluth Project Office, St. Louis County, Duluth, MN

4/26/2023
The Detroit District is proposing to rehabilitate the riprap shoreline protection along the Duluth Ship Canal property immediately north of the ship canal and extending along the shore for approximately 200 feet. Part of the reconstruction work is below the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) of Lake Superior (elevation of 603.1 feet IGLD 1985). Associated upland work includes installation of a steel sheet pile T-wall along the length of the revetment that connects to the City of Duluth’s T-wall, replacement of the existing sidewalk and reconstructing two existing storm drains.

Dredged Material Open Water Placement, Charlevoix Harbor, Charlevoix County, Michigan

4/14/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, proposed action involves maintenance dredging of the Charlevoix Harbor federal navigation channel with placement of the dredged material into ½ mile by ½ mile (160 acres) open water placement site located offshore of Charlevoix County, Michigan. See Public Notice linked below for details, including a Preliminary Statement of Findings (SOF) and a Clean Water Act, Section 404(b)(1) Evaluation Of the Effects of Placing Fill Material into the Waters of the United States. Other documents referenced in the Preliminary SOF are also liked below.

Fall Protection Around The MacArthur and Poe Locks, Bridge Anchor Points for Temporary Bridges Across MacArthur and Poe Locks and Handrails Around the MacArthur Lock Gates, St Marys Falls Canal (Soo Locks), Sault Ste Marie, MI

4/5/2023
TO: All INTERESTED AGENCIES, PUBLIC GROUPS, AND CITIZENS The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, is proposing work at St. Marys Falls Canal (Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan). The work includes the following: adding additional fall protection at the MacArthur and Poe Lock chambers, installing bridge anchoring points at the MacArthur and Poe Lock chambers, and MacArthur Lock handrails replacement (Enclosure 1). This project constitutes an “undertaking” under Section 106 of the NHPA. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 800.6 of 36 C.F.R Part 800, Protection of Historic Properties, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C. § 300101 et seq. A copy of this public notice can be provided upon request or can be reviewed online at http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/ by clicking on the link to “Other Public Notice” in the bottom left corner. Fall Protection for Soo and MacArthur Locks Chambers: During the navigation season, for any maintenance or inspection activities that require approaching lock chamber walls, the USACE personnel are required to wear safety harnesses, secured to mooring points to reduce the fall risk, per an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirement (OHSA 1917.112(b)(1) which requires a guard rail at least 43 inches in height near an opening. Line handlers cannot use safety harnesses during mooring activities, as it poses a risk of entanglement with the mooring lines. During the winter maintenance season, the USACE utilizes temporary plastic barriers around dewatered locks to reduce the fall risk. The USACE has determined that additional safety measures, such as guard rails or concrete walls, are needed along the MacArthur and Poe Locks to meet current OSHA standards. Additional safety measures would help reduce the risk of a person falling into an empty or filled lock chamber, or a person being crushed between a vessel and a lock wall (the railing/wall will also reduce or eliminate the risk of drowning).