The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, is soliciting comments from the public for a project proposed by the City of Manistique, MI to horizontally directionally drill (HDD) a 14-inch and 8-inch sanitary sewer siphon line under the USACE navigation channel project located on the Manistique River in Manistique, MI. The proposed project is located approximately 1000 feet south or downstream of Lakeshore Drive (US-2) highway bridge near the Manistique Boat Marina. The lines will have at least 15 feet of clearance below the riverbed and the boring pits are proposed to be a minimum of 100 feet from the river edge. The proposed project is needed to replace the existing sanitary sewer lines that currently cross beneath the river. The existing lines will remain in place for emergency use only.
The USACE’s preliminary engineering review indicates that implementing the proposed project work would not be injurious to the public interest, will not impair the usefulness of the project and will not constitute a major Federal action that significantly affects the quality of the human environment. No significant short term, long term, or cumulative environmental effects would result from constructing the proposed project. Adverse effects would be minor, limited primarily to short-term noise and air emission.
The USACE is soliciting comments from the public to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed activity. Any person who has a concern/interest or has historical or cultural interests that may be affected by the proposed project may submit written comments within the comment period of this notice. Comments must clearly set forth what interest may be affected by the proposed activity and how the action significantly affects the quality of the human environment. If no comments are received by the end of the fourteen (14) day review period, it will be assumed that no comments are forthcoming. Because of the COVID-19 virus, please provide all comments by email to LRE‑Section408@usace.army.mil and refer to File No. 408-LRE-2021-0002.
All comments received will be taken under consideration.
Following the comment period and a review of the comments received, the USACE Detroit District Engineer will make a final decision for the approval of this project. Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement and an EA will not be required due to this being covered under a General Permit Category (National Permit).