Compatibility Determination Available for Public Review

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY: Compatibility Determination, Transportation of Dredged Material, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. 

A draft compatibility determination which evaluates the transportation of dredged material across lands and waters of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) is available for public comment.  The compatibility determination does not evaluate the act of dredging or the final use of dredge material but simply the transportation of that material from the point of dredging to the final destination.  

In accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, prior to allowing a new or continuing public use or activity on the Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) must determine if the use is compatible with Refuge purposes. The draft compatibility determination is available at the District office located at 102 Walnut Street, Suite 205 in Winona, MN or on-line at www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river for review and comment. 

Applying the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, the FWS has assessed the potential environmental impacts of allowing for the transportation of dredged material across Refuge lands and waters and determined that these activities will not impact floodplains, wetlands, important farmland or endangered species.   

The proposed compatibility determination is also being reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 

The public is encouraged to submit comments in writing by September 26, 2021 to Mary Stefanski, 102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona, MN, 55987. Questions can be directed to District Manager, Mary Stefanski, 507-454-7351, or [email protected].