Mooring cell near Guttenberg raises local concerns
A proposed mooring cell site near Guttenberg has raised concerns with local residents. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is seeking public comments on a draft Environmental Assessment, or EA, for its proposed Lock and Dam 10 mooring cell project.
The purpose of the project is to construct a mooring cell for navigation vessels to tie off while awaiting passage through the lock on the Upper Mississippi River, upstream of Lock and Dam 10, near Guttenberg.
An open meeting requesting input from community members was held by the Corps at the Guttenberg Public Library on Nov. 7. In attendance were 49 community members who have concerns about the project.
Mooring cells are normally 40 feet in diameter, and require underwater support. The visible section of the mooring cell above the water line would be between 10-14 feet high, depending on water levels. Cells typically cost about three million dollars to build, and are partially paid for by the shipping industry.
Community concerns
Local residents cite the area where the mooring cell would be placed will diminish views of the river, which community members and tourist enjoy. "Ingleside Park is used for many local events and is a site for photography," they noted. "Guttenberg launches fireworks over the river in the area of the proposed project every 4th of July when hundreds of folks line the shore of Ingleside Park to view them."
They listed safety concerns of having a mooring site so near to private docks and recreational boat cross traffic. They feel fishing along the shoreline and local wildlife and migratory waterfowl, which feed and live in the proposed area will be affected.
EPA concerns during construction and later on when used have created concerns about air quality. "People of all ages use the river walk for health and rehabilitation," the group commented. "Diesel emissions, which are a known carcinogen, will pollute the air. We are also concerned about vibrations, lights at night, and noise from waiting tows as they move forward, starting, stopping, turning and idling at the mooring site."
The group went on to say, "In the Corps report, it appears there are some other 'hot spots' a bit further north where southbound tows now wait for the locks to be cleared. So the choices the Corps offer are to 'go ahead' with building this cell or to 'take no action'."
Public period review
A final determination on the draft EA will be made following the public review period. A copy of the EA can be viewed and downloaded from the St. Paul District website at: https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/PublicNotices.aspx. The Corps of Engineers is conducting a review of the environmental effects in accordance with the National Environment Policy Act.
Comments should be submitted no later than Jan. 24, 2025.
Questions and comments concerning the project should be directed to Lewis Wiechmann, Corps forester, Lewis.J.Wiechmann@usace.army.mil. Please address all correspondence on this project to the St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attention: Regional Planning and Environment Division North, 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E1500, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101-1678.
This project is authorized under the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program, which is a dual-purpose integrated program to enhance and improve the Upper Mississippi River system. The program seeks to provide a safe, reliable, cost effective and environmentally sustainable waterborne navigation system.
The St. Paul District maintains the 9-foot-deep navigation channel on the Upper Mississippi River and operates 12 locks and dams to support navigation from Minneapolis to Guttenberg. Keeping this system open is vital to the nation’s economy to reduce the stress on our roads and bridges. A 15-barge tow can move as much bulk commodities as 1,050 semis or more than 200 rail cars.
