Corps of Engineers releases key Grand Prairie Project documents

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 4, 2004 – Two key environmental documents related to the Grand
Prairie Area Demonstration Project were released for public review and comment today. The two
documents are the Post General Reevaluation Design Changes, draft Environmental Assessment
(EA) and the draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The draft EA analyzes
environmental impacts associated with proposed modifications to the project as presented in the
General Reevaluation Report (GRR) and final environmental impact statement that were
circulated for public review in December 1999.

During detailed design work on the project that began following the 1999 GRR, it became
apparent that several changes were needed to increase project efficiency and flexibility, to
resolve landowner disputes or reduce costs. These changes are:

1. Relocation of the administration building and system control room from the pump
   station to a central location.
2. Construction of borrow pits for canal levees. 
3. Use of pipelines instead of streams to deliver irrigation water.
4. Use of pipelines instead of small canals.
5. Replacement of Canal 3200 with pipelines.
6. Construction of a regulation reservoir.
7. Alignment changes to pipelines and canals.
8. Rehabilitation or alternation of existing irrigation reservoirs.

These design changes will result in a net decrease in the amount of wetlands that will be
impacted by the project. Although impacts to upland hardwood forests will see an increase, these
impacts will be fully mitigated with reforestation of 180 acres of currently cleared upland.

The draft EA and draft FONSI may be viewed on the Internet at:
www.mvm.usace.army.mil/regulatory/public-notices/pn.htm

or at
www.mvm.usace.army.mil/grandprairie/news_updates/releases.asp

Public comments, due by April 5, 2004, are critical to determining overall public interest
and to the decision making process. The public is invited to address their comments to: 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Environmental Branch
167 North Main Street, Room B-202
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
Fax: (901) 544-3955
Additional information on the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project is also available
at:
www.mvm.usace.army.mil/grandprairie/default.asp