The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District (USACE) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is preparing a supplement to the Final Detailed Project Report and Integrated Environmental Assessment (DPR/EA) for the Cleveland, Tennessee Flood Risk Management Study.
The original DPR/EA evaluated the potential effects of several alternative flood risk reduction measures for the City of Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee (Enclosure 1). The recommended plan (Plan 17) included construction of two regional stormwater detention structures (one on the Fillauer Branch Tributary 1 near Williams St. NE, and another one on Fillauer Branch near 12th St. NE) and four channel modifications to include widening and bench cuts (two on South Mouse Creek, at Tinsley Park and near Blount Ave SW; and two on Fillauer Branch and tributaries near Clearwater Dr. NE and Ocoee Crossing NW). OnSeptember 14, 2020, The USACE signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the recommended plan.
The recommended plan from Cleveland, Tennessee Flood Risk Management Study is currently being implemented in phases. The stormwater detention structure near 12th St. NE has been recently constructed. Two channel modifications, near Clearwater Drive NE and Ocoee Crossing NW, are currently in construction. Construction contract awards for the detention structure (near Williams St. NE) and channel modification (near Blount Ave. SW) are expected in the summer of 2025.
The final phase of the project would include construction of a channel modification (SM_08C, as designated in the DPR/EA) along the right-descending bank of South Mouse Creek near Tinsley Park. However, addition of new park features at Tinsley Park since completion of the study has rendered construction of a channel modification on the right-descending bank impractical. Construction of the originally proposed channel modification would require the relocation of a greenway, dog park, memorial trees, light poles, irrigation systems and other accessory objects and require temporary park closures, use disruptions, and public safety concerns. Upon the request made by the City of Cleveland, the USACE is now recommending that construction of the channel modification be moved to the opposite side of the stream (Enclosure 2), on the left-descending bank. Initial hydraulic modeling indicates that similar flood risk benefits could be achieved with the modified design.
This letter serves to solicit scoping comments from interested stakeholders; Federal, state, and local agencies and officials, and other interested parties to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity in accordance with the USACE planning and NEPA processes. USACE will use the comments to assess impacts on the human-environment. We request comments and questions be sent by email to Sidney.B.Riddle@usace.army.mil, no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this letter. If you are unable to access an email account, you may send your written comments to the address listed in the letterhead above, ATTN: CELRN-PMP (Sid Riddle). Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Valerie J. McCormack, PhD
Chief, Project Planning Branch