Per CSRS, Issuance of US Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Permits = All Environmental Impacts Addressed

Still no answer from US Army Corps of Engineers...

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 11:56 PM
To: 'Edwin.A.Lyon@usace.army.mil'
Cc: 'metrocouncil@brgov.com'; 'hq-publicaffairs@usace.army.mil'; 'John.E.Singley@USACE.ARMY.MIL'
Subject: Environmental Impact: Green Light Project to Widen Staring Lane

Does the US Army Corps of Engineers agree that issuance of wetland permits for this project represents USACOE approval that all environmental impacts have been satisfactorily addressed?

From: John Snow [mailto:jsnow@consultssa.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 5:18 PMSubject: RE: Green Light Project to Widen Staring Lane (Chandler to Highland Rd Stretch)

Please see below for responses to your questions/comments.

·      Project Environmental Document only discusses area immediately around Bayou Duplantier, this is not the only area of impact.  Your estimates for environmental mitigation ($ 240,000) are too low.

The entire project limits, Highland Road to Perkins Road, were investigated for wetlands, UST’s, petroleum products and other hazardous chemicals, cultural resources, cemeteries and other requirements of Phase I Environmental Site Assessment standard practice.  All required wetland permits from the USACOE [US Army Corps of Engineers] have been acquired and remain active for this project.  Issuance of said permits reflects the USACOE concurrence of the impacts by this project.  The environmental budget presented in the project’s Concept Report was an estimate of project costs associated with detailed wetland and Phase I ESA studies of the final project limits, permits applications, permit maintenance, and other associated costs.