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�PPSMENT OF T yFy� p United States Department of the Interior 'AO n a FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE CH 77 �BLOOMINGTON FIELD OFFICE (ES) . 620 Souti Walker Street M'`Y`T� Bloomington, Indiana.47403-2121 (812) 334-4261 FAX 334-4273 February 24, 2000 Mr. Neal A. Gehring, Chief Reocl-k Le e �a r k— Engineering and Construction Division U.S. Army Engineer District Detroit P.O. Box 1027 Detroit, Michigan 48231 Attn: Florence Bissel, Environmental Analysis Branch Dear Mr. Gehring: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has reviewed the information provided with your letter of January 20, 2000, concerning a proposed shoreline protection project on the St. Joseph River in the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. The site is designated the Leeper Park Project and is being investigated as an Emergency Stream Bank and Shoreline Protection Project under Section 14 of the Federal Flood Control Act of 1946. These comments have been prepared under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et sea.) and are consistent with the intent of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Mitigation Policy. The site is an island within the St. Joseph River at Leeper Park. The island is part of the park and is also the site of 2 public water supply wells that produce drinking water for the City of South Bend. The island has been protected against erosion since the 1930's by an encircling 4 -foot high stone wall, constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The east side (active river side) of the island is experiencing erosion in 3 locations, and the stone wall has been undermined and has collapsed. Two alternatives are being considered to protect the island and the water wells. Alternative No. 1 consists of repairing and replacing, where necessary, the collapsed wall so that it conforms to the remaining WPA wall and placing riprap at the toe of the entire east side of the wall. Alternative No. 2 consists of grading the shoreline at the locations of the collapsed wall and riprapping these new slopes. Riprapping of the toe of the remaining east side wall is also included. A biologist from our Northern Indiana Suboffice visited the proposed project site on February 9, 2000. The island is a grassed and landscaped parkland, with numerous large trees, including Eastern cottonwood, silver maple, sycamore, and mulberry, B - 1