EIS preparation for dredging the Missouri River

Client: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District

Location: St. Louis, Missouri to Rulo, Nebraska

Summary: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District has hired Cardno ENTRIX to prepare an Environmental Impact Report to determine the potential effects of commercial sand and gravel dredging on the lower Missouri River. The USACE determined that there may be a potential for significant environmental impacts to occur principally from degradation of the river bed from continued dredging. Associated impacts may occur to species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that use the river and associated riparian and upland habitats and infrastructure required to maintain river related uses, particularly water diversions that provide municipal water supplies. The geographic scope of this project extends from St. Louis, at the confluence with the Mississippi River, to approximately 500 miles upstream to Rulo, Nebraska.

Cardno ENTRIX is responsible for preparing the EIS which will include alternatives analysis, cumulative effects evaluation, and mitigation plans. The primary issues of concern are river bed degradation, impacts to existing infrastructure, impacts to fish and wildlife, and socioeconomic implications of the various alternatives.

Cardno ENTRIX has the experience and knowledge of large river morphology and sediment transport essential for evaluating the potential bed degradation effects from sand and gravel dredging. We possess the expertise needed in preparing large-scale NEPA documents and understand the environmental and socioeconomic potential impacts associated with this project.

A well-balanced, complete EIS will provide the USACE with the needed evaluation to make a determination on how to move forward with future commercial sand and gravel dredging permits in the lower Missouri River.