U.S. Department of Defense
Date of this Version
1993
Abstract
An environmental assessment has been prepared for several methods of habitat enhancement and creation along the Missouri River Main stem System. Most of the actions described were suggested in the November 1990, U.S. Fish and wildlife Service Biological Opinion on the operation of the Missouri River Main Stem System and will provide safer nesting habitat for interior least terns and piping plovers.
Adverse impacts of these actions are all temporary and localized, consisting of temporary, localized smoke, and possible ash suspension in nearby waters due to burning of vegetation and presence of temporary noise disturbance during helicopter application of herbicide and bulldozing activities. Addition of up to 60 cubic yards of gravel to allow safer transport of bulldozers from shore to a sandbar complex will have no adverse effects. Potential archeological sites (steamboat wrecks) near areas slated for bulldozer operations will be surveyed with a metal detector (one site), and written guidance will be given to construction personnel prior to the activities. If potential wrecks are found, no work will take place on that site until surveyed and cleared by an archeologist. No long-term adverse impacts on the areas described are anticipated. These actions will not adversely impact any threatened or endangered species.
Factors that were considered in making this decision included but were not necessarily limited to conservation, economics, esthetics, general environmental concerns, historic values, fish and wildlife values, flood damage prevention, land use, air and water quality, energy needs, safety, food production, and in general the needs and welfare of the people.
It is my finding that the Federal actions would not have significant adverse impacts on the quality of the human environment; and therefore, an environmental impact statement
Comments
Published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1993) 1-63