Frequently Asked Questions
|
Question |
Answer |
| What are the environmental concerns of the proposed actions of the project? | The Memphis District is working with both Federal and State agencies as well as environmental organizations to compile a composite list of environmental concerns which will be addressed in the SEIS. Key issues involve mussels and fisheries, flooding regime, hydrology impacts to adjacent oxbows, sloughs and tributaries, wetland impacts, hunting, recreational boating, irrigation, navigation, fishing, waterfowl, and their habitat, neotropical birds, wildlife in general, and cultural resources. This list is not all inclusive. |
| Why is the Corps' so determined to finish the White River Study? | The White River is a natural and potential economic treasure for the State of Arkansas. We must strive to use our natural treasures in the best and wisest possible manner. How will we know what the wisest use of the resource is - if we do not complete a study that may help local and regional leaders make the best possible decision. |
| How will the Corps comply with the NEPA process? | The National Environmental Policy Act provides for an early open process to determine the "scope" of issues to be addressed. This ensures the Environmental Impact Statement or EIS report later produced is balanced and thorough. Currently, the Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the early stages of planning a supplemental EIS to support an earlier EIS conducted in 1979, and it will also support the reevaluation study, including changes that reflect existing conditions. |
| What will happen if nothing is done to improve navigation along the White River? | The corps will continue to provide the authorized annual maintenance requirements. The Corps is responsible for maintaining 4.5 ft. depth by 100 ft. width, in a channel from August (River Mile 198) to Newport (River Mile 254); and 8 ft. by 125 ft. from the Arkansas Post Canal (River Mile 10) to River 198 when the river is at stages equal or greater than 12 feet on the Clarendon gauge, with a 5 ft. minimum depth at lower stages. |
| What effect will the Grand Prairie Region and Bayou Meto Basin Project have on this project? | The Bayou Meto Basin Project will have no impact on this project. It uses the Arkansas River as its source of irrigation water. Also, the Grand Prairie Region Project will have no impact on this project. Although it uses the White River as its irrigation water source, it will cease diversions at a minimum river flow, which is well above the depth needed for commercial navigation. |
| How much will this project cost? | We have not determined the final figures. We are in the stage of collecting input to complete the study. |
| Who are the Corps study partners? | The Corps is working with the Arkansas Waterways Commission and the White River Valley Association to re-examine ways of improving navigation along the White River while maintaining or enhancing the integrity of the environment. |
| How will the White River Navigation Study affect the National Wildlife Refuges? | The project under investigation proposes no harm to the White River or Cache River National Wildlife Refuges. The original project called for dredged material to be placed within the refuges. However, we are in the process of studying alternatives that do not involve the refuges. |
| How many wing dikes will be constructed along the White River? | There will be 35 individual dike fields, 120 stone dikes, 3 bank paving sites and no construction dredging. |
| Will seasonal winter flooding on bottomland forest be altered? | Our studies show that there are no indicated changes in water level elevations at or above the 95% flow rate on the White River. One of the major reasons there will be no change in flood levels is that after the river goes over topbank level, the flood plain goes from about 700 foot wide to about 2 miles wide. After that happens, the influence of a 250-foot long dike is infinitesimal compared to the cross-sectional area the water flow passes through as it is going down stream. |
| Won't the deepening and widening of the navigation channel cause headcutting in the river and tributaries, resulting in serious erosion, siltation, and habitat loss? | Various model tests of the current design do not indicate any damaging results. Study results do not indicate problems from erosion, siltation, headcutting, and habitat loss generated by the proposed project design. Also, stream and ground water tables will not be lowered. |
| How can the public express their opinions of the project? | Public involvement and input are welcome throughout the reevaluation phase. Interested persons may submit written comments to Jim Lloyd, Project Manager, at USACE, Memphis District, 167 North Main Street, Room B202, Memphis, Tennessee 38103-1894 |