The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District (Corps), is soliciting public and agency comments regarding the draft Feasibility Report with integrated Environmental Assessment under the Tribal Partnership Program, Section 203. The Corps, in partnership with the non-federal sponsor, Nez Perce Tribe, has evaluated alternatives and selected a tentatively selected plan for the Sweetwater Creek Ecosystem Restoration study. The 30 day comment period is scheduled to start January 18 until through March 15.

There are three methods for submitting public comments. Electronic comments can be submitted directly online at:  http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/EnvironmentalComplianceComment/ or via email to NEPANWW@usace.army.mil, inserting “Sweetwater Ecosystem Project” in the subject line. U.S. Mail comments should be postmarked by the deadline to: 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: PPL-C (Sweetwater Ecosystem Project)
201 N. 3rd Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362

Public Meeting

*Additional session offered for Real Estate questions: 3pm-4pm

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), is a law requiring federal agencies to objectively evaluate a range of alternatives for any potential federal action. Alternatives must include a “No Action Alternative,” which addresses the consequences of completing no federal action at the location. The NEPA process requires the agency to consider the environmental and social impacts of alternatives so that informed decisions are made with knowledge of potential environmental consequences.

Authority

This project was initiated under the Tribal Partnership Program, Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000 (Public Law [PL] 106-541), as amended and codified at 33 United States Code (USC) Section 2269. This program allows the Corps  to work collaboratively with federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal governments to assist with water resources projects that address economic, environmental and cultural resource needs through studies that may include flood damage reduction, environmental restoration, and protection and preservation of natural and cultural resources.