Time is running out on submitting feedback for a joint project between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources near Bay City at Catherine Pass along the Mississippi River, a project which is meant to restore fish and other wildlife habitat at the head of Lake Pepin. The wide spot on the Mississippi is filling in fast as runoff sediments from upstream slow at the mouth of the lake and settle to the river bottom. Key partners in the fight to save Lake Pepin from becoming effectively dry land in just a couple generations are the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, and Audubon Minnesota. Details of the project were earlier presented through an online presentation viewable at https://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance. org/restoration, in lieu of a public meeting during COVID-19 restrictions.

First beginning in 2017 under the Continuing Authorities Program which allows for the beneficial use of dredge material and certain other projects without obtaining prior congressional approval, the habitat restoration project near Bay City proposes to move sand via barge from Read’s Landing at the south end of Lake Pepin and redeposit it in Catherine’s Pass near Bay City, which has problems with sedimentation from areas further upstream, leading in part to turbidity, or muddy water from the re-suspension of these sediments. The sand to be moved from Read’s Landing has been regularly tested for contaminants and found to be acceptable for habitat construction, with a minor impact on aquatic vertebrates.

At present, sediment from upstream enters Catherine Pass through a small inlet called Catherine Cut, leaving a brown muddy streak in the water visible in aerial photography, bad habitat for both fish and aquatic plant life. The project to build and improve wildlife habitat with dredge materials has seven key objectives, as listed on the online presentation: 1. Increasing the health, diversity and acreage of emergent and floating leafed aquatic vegetation.

2. Increasing the health, diversity and acreage of submerged aquatic vegetation.

3. Improving and increasing the quantity and quality of wetland habitat for backwater waterfowl species.

4. Protecting existing shoreline habitat and increasing the linear feet of sheltered bank and associated littoral (near shore) habitat for use by marsh and water birds, shorebirds, amphibians, aquatic mammals, and reptiles.

5. Improving and increasing the overall health and quantity of floodplain forest.

6. Improving or maintaining the quality of habitat for riverine aquatic species.

7. Increasing the quantity and quality of backwater fish habitat.

In planning the project, there were three potential strategies developed by the core project partners, the first of which was an evaluation of the Pierce County Island Complex Overall, a proposal which “exceeded the study, scope, cost, and constructability constraints,” the online presentation states. As a result, Catherine Pass and Wacouta Bay were then designated as priority areas in the second strategy proposal and further refinements were made in the third and final strategy plan for the project. Catherine Pass was determined as unique to Pool 4 in the area, as improvements near Bay City where Catherine Pass is located could have a big impact elsewhere.

After six alternative plans were compared for the habitat and island building project, Alternative F with Wacouta Bay included was determined to not be cost effective, while Alternative D for Catherine Pass was determined to be the best buy and “Tentatively Selected Plan” or TSP, pending public review.

Using 390,000 cubic yards of material (70,000 cubic yards under half of that called for by Alternative F), Alternative D in Catherine Pass would have $19 million for project first costs, meet six out of the seven stated plan objectives, and meets all four of the federal principles and guidelines, or “P and G.” After being determined as the best buy, the Alternative D plan was refined to include minor additions for access and construction The Alternative D plan as tentatively selected has several main features, as follows: 1) Four peninsulas constructed out of sand from the navigation channel 2) Refuge dredging to improve habitat for migratory birds 3) A water level management dyke with culvert of three foot diameter 4) An access road for water management 5) Two backwater dredged areas to increase depth to eight feet for overwintering fish 6) Three areas of shoreline protection with rocks to help prevent further erosion 7) Mudflat creation 8) Access Dredging, and 9) A Partial closure at Catherine Cut, constructed with rocks 1-2 feet in diameter so as to divert the current and prevent sediment backflow into Catherine’s Pass, and also stabilize the access dredge cut post-construction.

The land involved in the Alternative D plan is mostly owned by the State of Wisconsin, would require easements from the Village of Bay City for the staging area (potentially in or near the Bay City Campground) and the access road to a water level management dyke. The total projected cost of the project is $24.4 million, with annual maintenance by the Wisconsin DNR to cost $3,500.

Project costs would be paid for in three different ways: $5 million by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, $14 million would be funded by Section 1122 funding, and the Wisconsin DNR would fund the remaining $5 million of the project.

The final report is expected to be submitted later this summer, with a project completion date of within three to five years, dependent on Section 1122 funding. For more information or to view the complete project presentation, please visit https://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance. org/restoration. For those who wish to make comments on the Lake Pepin habitat improvement project, more information regarding the public notice and review period is available at https://www.mvp.usace.arm y.mil/Home/Public-Notices/. The project biologist and the main point of contact for the Lake Pepin project is Steven J. Clark, reachable via email at [email protected] .mil, with phone feedback on the project also possible at 651-290-5278. Written comments can be sent to St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ATTN: Regional Planning & Environmental Division North 180 5th St. E., Suite 700 St. Paul, MN 55101 The last day to submit comments during the public review period is this Monday, May 11.