PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, has released its Upper Ohio Navigation Study, Final Feasibility report and Integrated Environmental Impact Statement, for public review and comment through July 18, 2016. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and is posted on the district website at: http://1.usa.gov/1POZEt4.
Media inquiries and requests for an electronic copy of the entire report with appendices may be directed to the Public Affairs Office at 412-395-7500 or email at lrp.webinquiries@usace.army.mil.
The study addresses the deficient structural condition of the locks at the existing Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery locks and dams on the Ohio River in Pennsylvania. The district, through the study, recommends construction of one new lock chamber at each facility as the best plan for maintaining safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable navigation through 2074 on the Upper Ohio River. Each new chamber would measure 110-feet wide by 600-feet long and when constructed would take the place of each facility’s auxiliary lock chamber. Total cost of the recommended project is $2.3 billion. The average incremental annual net benefits are $272.5 million for an incremental Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR) of 4.3 to 1. (October 2014 Cost Level)
Following review of the FEIS and concurrent state and agency review of the draft Report of the Chief of Engineers, the Chief’s Report will be finalized for signature. The signed Chief’s Report will then be sent to the Administration for review, anticipating endorsement to Congress for inclusion in the next Water Resources Development Act.
For media inquiries, contact the Public Affairs Office at 412-395-7500 or email: celrp-pa@usace.army.mil.
Release no. NR16-162