Army Corps seeks comments for a draft environmental assessment related to Berlin Lake water levels

Published May 23, 2018
Proposed Planned Deviation to the Water Control Plan for 2018 calendar year at Berlin Lake, Ohio

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District is seeking comments for a proposed temporary deviation to its Berlin Lake water control plan that would extend higher water levels longer in the lake.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District is seeking comments for a proposed temporary deviation to its Berlin Lake water control plan that would extend higher water levels longer in the lake.

Berlin Lake, located near Alliance, Ohio on the Mahoning River, is a multi-purpose flood risk management reservoir that stores water during storm events to reduce downstream flooding and provides water to the river during drier times to dilute pollutants and industrial temperature outputs.

The environmental assessment is a requirement for submission of the proposed deviation, which was initiated after community members ask the Army Corps to extend the lake recreation season and boost the local economy by delaying the reservoir’s winter drawdown.

The Corps invites submission of comments on the environmental impact of the approval of the planned deviation request.  The Corps will consider all submissions received before the expiration date of the public comment period.  The nature or scope of the proposal may be changed upon consideration of the comments received. 

The draft Environmental Assessment and draft Finding of No Significant Impact are available electronically at: 

 http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/  

Comments can be submitted to the address posted at the top of this release, attention to Planning & Environmental Section or to berlindeviation18@usace.army.mil. Comments must be received by June 16, 2018 to ensure consideration.

Pittsburgh District’s 26,000 square miles include portions of western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, western Maryland and southwestern New York. Our jurisdiction includes more than 328 miles of navigable waterways, 23 navigation locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose flood risk management reservoirs, 42 local flood protection projects and other projects to protect and enhance the nation’s water resources, infrastructure and environment.

In 2017 dollars, the district’s 16 reservoirs have prevented nearly $36 billion dollars in downstream flood damages since the Corps’ upper Ohio River Basin water management system was built. Berlin Dam accounts for about $4.6 billion of that total.

The district’s additional missions include water supply, emergency response, and regulation of the Clean Water Act. The Corps often partners with local communities to improve water supply, sanitary sewer and storm water infrastructure. During disasters, the district manages the nation’s emergency power contract which provides temporary power to downed critical infrastructure. District personnel deploy overseas to help build, manage and administer water resource infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.

For media inquiries, contact the Public Affairs Office at 412-395-7500 or email: celrp-pa@usace.army.mil

Know.Take.Wear. Know the waterways. Take a water safety course. Wear your life jacket.

 

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Contact
Jeff Hawk
412.395.7500/01/02
celrp-pa@usace.army.mil
1000 Liberty Ave. Suite 2200 Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Release no. 18-026