LRL-2021-00552

DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The project would include 1,581 linear feet of stream re-establishment, 665 linear feet of stream rehabilitation, 1,626 riparian habitat enhancement, 13.47 acres of wetland re-establishment, 6.8 acres of wetland creation, 4.7 acres of wetland Enhancement and 40.44 acres of wetland buffers.  The project is estimated to generate 27.13 acres of wetland credits and 2,330 linear feet of stream credits and would be permanently protected through conservation easement with IDNR.  The ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams are tributaries to Fall Creek.

Copies of this notice are sent to the appropriate Federal and State Fish and Wildlife Agencies.  Their views and comments are solicited in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1956.  Based on available information, the proposed activity will not destroy or endanger any Federally listed threatened or endangered species or their critical habitats, as identified under the Endangered Species Act, and therefore, initiation of formal consultation procedures with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not planned at this time.

The National Register of Historic Places has been examined, and it has been determined that there are no properties currently listed on the Register which have been directly affected by the work.  If we are made aware, as a result of comments received in response to this notice, or by other means, of specific archaeological, scientific, pre­historical, or historical sites or structures which might be affected by the proposed work, the District Engineer will immediately take the appropriate action necessary pursuant to the National Historic Preserva­tion Act of 1966 - Public Law 89-665 as amended (including Public Law 96-515).

The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activity on the public interest.  That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utiliza­tion of important resources.  The benefits which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal must be balanced against its reasonably fore­seeable detriments.  All factors which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetic values, general environmental concerns, historic values, fish and wildlife values, flood damage prevention, land use, navigation, recreation, water supply, water quality, energy needs, safety, food production, and in general, the needs and welfare of the public.  In addition, the evaluation of the impact of the activity on the public interest will include application of the guidelines (40 CFR Part 230) promulgated by the Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency, under authority of Section 404(b) of the CWA.

The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State, and local agencies and officials; Indian tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity.  It is presumed that all interested parties and agencies will wish to respond; therefore, a lack of response will be interpreted as meaning that there is no objection to the proposed project.  Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this proposal.  To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above.  Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.  Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

Information pertaining to this application is available for public examination during normal business hours upon prior request.  Drawings are available on Louisville District's Internet site at http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Public-Notices/.  All comments regarding this proposal should be addressed to Scott Matthews, CELRL-RDE at the address noted above and should refer to the Public Notice Number No. LRL-2021-00552.

If you desire to submit your comments by email, you must comply with the following:

    a) In the subject line of your email, type in ONLY the Public Notice ID No. LRL-2021-00552.

                                      Example:

                                                            Subject: LRL-2021-00552

    b) Provide your physical mailing address and telephone number.

    c) Send your email to: lrl.regulatorypubliccomment@usace.army.mil

    d) If you are sending attachments greater than 10 Mb in size with your email, you must send a hard copy (CD or paper) to the Corps’ physical address as well.