MSC News

MSC News National Headlines Sports Top Headlines CBS US News CBS Technology

Corps to Hold Public Comments on Water Reports

By David Meyer

08/20/2012

(KAIR) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, announced the release of five draft surplus water reports and environmental assessments.

The Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the Honorable Jo Ellen Darcy, can use this information to execute temporary surplus water agreements for municipal and industrial purposes.

Surplus water agreements are typically in place for five years, with the option for a five-year extension.

The National Environmental Policy Act requires the Corps to assess and report the socio-economic and environmental effects of providing surplus water for these temporary municipal and industrial uses.

The public is encouraged to provide comments on the draft report and environmental assessment during the open comment period from Aug. 6 through Sept. 10.

Public meetings are scheduled to take place from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Regionally it will be Tuesday in St. Joseph, at the Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center, 1201 North Woodbine Road.

The draft surplus water reports propose that surplus water is available in each of the reservoirs and quantifies an amount at each.

Each report also recommends that the administrative law rulemaking process be used to establish a fair and equitable pricing methodology.

The process is used by executive agencies to promulgate formal rules.

If instituted, the process would allow the Corps to develop a pricing model, inform the public about the recommended pricing methodology, allow time for public comment and agency response to the proposal, and provide time for any revisions before a potential formal pricing model is set in place.

You will need to be logged in to leave a comment.

Please Login

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.

Click here to review our Terms of Use.