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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY DETROIT DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS BOX 1027 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48231-1027 IN REPLY REFER TO: SEP 2 U z000 Engineering & Construction Division Environmental Analysis Branch TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, PUBLIC GROUPS, AND CITIZENS The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) is provided for your review. The EA addresses the potential environmental impacts associated with constructing riverbank protection along three eroding sites on the St. Joseph River in South Bend, Indiana. Emergency riverbank protection is authorized by Section 14 of the Federal Flood Control Act of 1946, as amended. The riverbank areas to be protected include the east shore of Leeper Park Island and, about V2 -mile downstream, a reach along North Shore Drive and along a stormwater outfall on the opposite bank. Erosion poses a threat to municipal wells on Leeper Park Island, to North Shore Drive, and to several outfalls and utility lines. The proposed action is to protect all three sites with riprap stone. Upper riverbank trees at the North Shore Drive site would be preserved by using a bio -engineered erosion control turf mat instead of riprap along the upper bank. The EA includes a Section 404(b)(1) Evaluation, pursuant to the Clean Water Act, for fill placement into the waters of the United States as part of the riverbank protection project. Any person who has an interest that may be affected by the proposed in -water placement of fill material may request a public hearing. The request must be submitted in writing within the comment period of.this notice (as described below) and must clearly set forth the interest that may be affected and the manner in which the interest may be affected by this activity. Any comments on this proposed riverbank protection project should be made within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice; otherwise it will be assumed you have no comment. Please direct your comments to the U.S. Army Engineer District, Detroit; ATTN: CELRE-ET-EC-E (Les E. Weigum); P.O. Box 1027; Detroit, Michigan 48231-1027 Following the comment period and a review of the comments received, the District Engineer will make a final decision regarding the necessity of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed emergency riverbank protection project. Based on the conclusions of this EA, it appears that preparation of an EIS would not be required. Sincerely, li / 1 e 1 Aehring, P.E. Chief, Engineering & Construction Division Enclosure