External Agency Reviews and Reports
The Army Corps of Engineers Agency Technical Review (June 2020) generated 94 comments with 5 critical flagged and 28 high significance. 5 Critical comments remained "Open" upon publication of the Summary Report. Click to view document
Comment 8285727 Planning - Plan Formulation (pdf page 92-94)
Concern: Incremental Analysis of the Final Array of Alternatives
Basis: ER 1105-2-100 specifies that the proposed project features must be shown to incrementally reduce the problem (i.e.the flood risk). It is unclear how construction of the weir and impoundment of water reduces the flood risk to the adjacent communities. The existence of the 1,500 acre lake does not create any additional flood storage capacity or conveyance capacity. It could provide recreation benefits however these benefits could also be provided without the impoundment of water by improving access to the river. The new widened and taller levees would seem to be an impediment to recreational access and the trapezoidal channel would lose aesthetic quality compared to the current riparian corridor.
ER 1105-2-100 Definition of Incremental Analysis. Incremental analysis is a process used in plan formulation to help identify plans that further consideration in an efficient manner. The analysis consists of examining increments of plans or project features to determine their incremental costs and incremental benefits. Increments of plans conintue to be added and evaluated as long as the incremental benefits exceed the incremental costs. When the incremental costs exceed the incremental benefits no further increments are added.
Significance: Critical
Recommended Action: Conduct incremental analysis for the final array of plans, namely the feature which provides the most benefits for the costs. Determine the amount of risk reduction for each increment. This could be shown as a reduction in water surface elevation. The setback levee most likely will be the feature with the greatest risk reduction so suggest starting with that. Add additional features and document the incremental benefits. Provide a description and explanation of the risk reduction associated with the weir relocation and subsequent impoundment of water behind the weir.
Backcheck recommendation:
The stated purpose of the weir is for water supply delivery to the water plant. It is unclear why the existing weir location is not adequate. Additionally, the new weir would be used to impound water upstream in order to keep vegetation from growing in the floodway. The impounded water upstream would also provide recreational benefits in the form of a new reservoir. For future cost allocation purposes, it should be determined if the weir is a LERRD (relocation) and if its purpose is to keep the floodway clear, this is an O&M function - both of which are sponsor costs rather than Federal costs.
US Fish and Wildlife Reports
Final Independent External Peer Review (IEPR) Report, 26 June 2018
After reviewing the 2018 DEIS, the Independent External Peer Review team made 23 comments including 5 High Significance, 2 Medium/High, 4 Medium, 5 Medium/Low and 7 Low. Links to the documents below.
After reviewing the 2018 DEIS, the Independent External Peer Review team made 23 comments including 5 High Significance, 2 Medium/High, 4 Medium, 5 Medium/Low and 7 Low. Links to the documents below.
Agency Technical Review (ATR) Summary Report, 20 June 2018
The Army Corps of Engineers Agency Technical Review (20 June 2018) generated 153 comments with 19 critical flagged and 24 high significance. 10 Critical or High Significance comments remained "Open" and 7 comments remained "Flagged for Follow-up" upon publication of the Summary Report. Link to the document below.
Phase 1 Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed LeFleur Lakes, Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties, Mississippi, May 2006
Pearl Riverkeeper asks that everyone make his or her own decision regarding the Pearl River Flood Risk Management project using sound science and engineering. We encourage the review and thorough analysis of all available information. We welcome comments and feedback. Please email Pearl Riverkeeper or visit our Facebook for comment space. Our publishing, or re-publishing, of anyone else's research or opinions is not an endorsement on our part of those conclusions.