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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/36934| Title: | Bass Ponds, Marsh, and Wetland Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project, Feasibility Report and Integrated Environmental Assessment : Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program |
| Authors: | United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. St. Paul District |
| Keywords: | Restoration ecology Environmental protection Environmental management Wetlands Minnesota River (S.D. and Minn.) |
| Publisher: | United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. St. Paul District. |
| Abstract: | This Feasibility Study Report with Integrated Environmental Assessment investigates the feasibility of alternative measures to address problems and opportunities associated with the Bass Ponds, Marsh, and Wetland Habitat Restoration and Enhancement project (Project), which is part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program. The study area includes three lakes and a marsh, situated southwest of St. Paul, MN and adjacent to the Minnesota River. The project lies within the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), established by Congress to provide habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, waterbirds, fish, and other wildlife species threatened by commercial and industrial development, as well as to provide educational and recreational opportunities to the public. The hydrology in the study area has changed significantly, and it is likely that this is driven at least in part by changes in land use and climate. Currently the lakes, wetlands, and marshes experience prolonged full pool conditions with depths of 3 to 4 feet throughout the year. The lack of seasonal variability in water levels has resulted in a degraded habitat in the study area by reducing wetland habitat quality, aquatic plant diversity, and the availability of quality habitat for migratory waterbirds and waterfowl. The objectives of the project are to: 1. Increase the diversity and percent cover of desirable emergent aquatic plant species. 2. Increase the diversity and percent cover of desirable submergent aquatic plant species. 3. Provide quality feeding and resting habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl and waterbirds with particular emphasis on fall migrating waterfowl. The Project Delivery Team (PDT) identified a variety of measures that could be taken to achieve project objectives, including water level management structures (single and double bay stoplog structures), earthen ditch plugs, access dredging, and rock-lined overflow channels. The measures were combined in various logical combinations to form alternative project plans. The Recommended Plan, shown in Figure ES-1, would partially restore the lake and marsh habitats by providing water level management capability to improve emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation, and to improve the habitat for waterfowl and waterbirds. The stoplog structures would utilize a 5-feet wide by 6-feet high concrete bay design that would efficiently increase conveyance to allow for periodic drawdowns following periods when floodwaters have receded. The Recommended Plan addresses all project objectives and would be 100% federally funded. The preliminary cost estimate is $5.9 million, with a 255 average annual habitat unit gain, and a cost of $981 per average annual habitat unit. |
| Description: | Feasibility Report with Integrated Environmental Assessment |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/11681/36934 |
| Appears in Collections: | Environmental Documents |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass Ponds FR and EA_2019.pdf | 90.59 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |