Posted:
July 29, 2008
In a notice published in the Federal Register July 25, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the availability of an informational bulletin on a proposed replacement lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and solicited comments on the project.
The bulletin covers the completed environmental reviews for construction of a new large lock to replace the smaller Davis and Sabin Locks at the Sault Locks Complex. The planned construction of a second large lock "has been adequately assessed in accordance with NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) and a record of decision should be signed to allow construction to begin," the Army Corps stated.
The bulletin will be available for review through Aug. 25, 2008, and comments must be received by Sept. 2, 2008.
Only the Poe Lock is capable of accommodating the thousand-footers in the U.S. Great Lakes fleet. The Davis and Sabin Locks were built during World War I and the proposed large lock would replace them.
"The proposed lock would be capable of handling the Great Lakes system's largest vessels, which account for more than half of the potential carrying capacity of the Great Lakes fleet and currently are limited to lockage through the Poe Lock," the Army Corps stated. "A disruption of the Poe Lock would result in significant national economic consequences. Therefore a second lock of the Poe Lock dimensions is needed.
"Congress has provided, in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, that such a lock be constructed at federal expense and funding has been appropriated to initiate construction," the Army Corps stated.
The notice, complete with instructions for requesting the bulletin and obtaining further information, is available online at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17073.pdf.
Army Corps reopens process for construction of large Soo Lock
In a notice published in the Federal Register July 25, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the availability of an informational bulletin on a proposed replacement lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and solicited comments on the project.
The bulletin covers the completed environmental reviews for construction of a new large lock to replace the smaller Davis and Sabin Locks at the Sault Locks Complex. The planned construction of a second large lock "has been adequately assessed in accordance with NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) and a record of decision should be signed to allow construction to begin," the Army Corps stated.
The bulletin will be available for review through Aug. 25, 2008, and comments must be received by Sept. 2, 2008.
Only the Poe Lock is capable of accommodating the thousand-footers in the U.S. Great Lakes fleet. The Davis and Sabin Locks were built during World War I and the proposed large lock would replace them.
"The proposed lock would be capable of handling the Great Lakes system's largest vessels, which account for more than half of the potential carrying capacity of the Great Lakes fleet and currently are limited to lockage through the Poe Lock," the Army Corps stated. "A disruption of the Poe Lock would result in significant national economic consequences. Therefore a second lock of the Poe Lock dimensions is needed.
"Congress has provided, in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, that such a lock be constructed at federal expense and funding has been appropriated to initiate construction," the Army Corps stated.
The notice, complete with instructions for requesting the bulletin and obtaining further information, is available online at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17073.pdf.