BURLINGTON – Public comments are being sought on a portion of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection project to be built in Burlington.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is evaluating a permit application for BU-1: Burlington Project under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The project would impact about .71 acres or 1,035 linear feet of the Des Lacs River, 1.26 acres or 2,310 linear feet of the Souris River and 1.12 acres of permanent and 1.19 acres of temporary impacts to jurisdictional wetlands.

The Souris River Joint Board is proposing to construct about 8,770 feet of levee, seepage cut-off wall, interior stormwater storage areas, levee ramps for maintenance and inspection access, the Kittelson Pump Station and interior drainage improvements, overbank excavation, river bank and levee stabilization and municipal infrastructure modifications and improvements, including sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer and street reconstruction.

The Burlington segment of the project extends along the eastern/northeastern outskirts of the city. The existing flood control project consists of 6,500 feet of levee that protects about 81 acres, including 54 acres of low-density suburban residential property, 11 acres of farmland and 16 acres of park.

The Corps’ decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts,including cumulative impacts, of the project on the public interest.

Written comments, referencing Public Notice NWO-2014-01468-BIS, must be submitted before Dec. 27 to Toni Erhardt, project manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, North Dakota Regulatory Office, 3319 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504.

The Corps is particularly interested in comments related to the proposal’s probable impacts on the affected aquatic environment and the secondary and cumulative effects. Anyone may request, in writing, a public hearing be held.

Questions can be directed to Erhardt at the Bismarck address, by phone at 255-0015, ext. 2003, or by email to Toni.R.Erhardt@usace.army.mil.