File Number: 200007810

Interested parties are hereby notified that an application has been received for a Department of the Army permit to place fill material into approximately 0.3 acre of wooded wetlands, in conjunction with the construction of a nature trail on the Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, as described below and shown on the attached map.

COMMENTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Comments on the described work should reference the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers File Number shown above and must reach this office no later than the above expiration date of the Public Notice to become part of the record and be considered in the decision. Comments should be mailed to the following address:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

ATTN: CEMVS-CO-F (Charles Frerker)

1222 Spruce Street

St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2833

APPLICANT: United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, c/o: Mr. David M. Ellis, Refuge Manager, Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge–Annada District, Post Office Box 88, Annada, Missouri 63330. (573) 847-2269.

LOCATION: The activity site can be accessed by traveling on Highway 79 to the town of Annada, Missouri, and proceeding east on the entrance road to the Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge. The specific activity site is located in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 16, Township 52 North, Range 2 East, Pike County, Missouri. The project area is along portions of Slim Chute, near the right descending bank of the Mississippi River, at approximate river mile 263.5, above the Ohio River confluence. (See Attached Vicinity Map).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposes to construct an approximate 3,200-foot-long interpretive trail with two short spurs that would overlook natural features found in the surrounding bottomland forest. A small, six to eight-car gravel parking lot would be constructed at the head of the trail for access. The parking area, as well as approximately 1/3 of the trail, would be constructed on an existing roadbed of a recently abandoned gravel road. The remaining 2/3 of the trail (approximately 0.3-acre) would be constructed in a jurisdictional wooded wetland area. The trail would average six feet in width with a six to eight-inch rock base, topped with two to three-inches of asphalt. Other trail capping materials were considered, but due to flooding frequency and projected long-term maintenance, asphalt material was considered as the preferred material. Approximately 400 to 500 cubic yards of gravel would be used as base material for the trail.

The trail would serve the 15,000 to 20,000 people that visit the refuge each year as well as numerous local school groups and classes. Interpretive panels would be installed along the trail to inform visitors about local wildlife, the refuge and the role of the Mississippi River as an important migration corridor for millions of birds migrating along the river each spring and fall.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Additional information may be obtained by contacting Charles Frerker, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (314) 331-8583 or at electronic mail address: charles.frerker@mvs02.usace.army.mil

AUTHORITY: This permit will be processed under the provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).

WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION: The project plans have been submitted to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Pollution Control Program for state certification of the proposed work in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The certification, if issued, will express the Agency's opinion that the proposed activities will not violate applicable water quality standards. Written comments concerning possible impacts to waters of Missouri should be addressed to: Water Pollution Control Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0176, with copy provided to the Corps of Engineers.

SECTION 404 (b)(1) EVALUATION: The impact of the activity on the public interest will be evaluated in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines pursuant to Section 404 (b)(1) of the Clean Water Act.

PUBLIC HEARING: Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Request for public hearings shall state, with particularity, the reasons for holding the public hearing.

ENDANGERED SPECIES: The proposed project is within the range of the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), Gray bat (Myotis gricescens), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), and the threatened Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). A preliminary determination, in compliance with the Endangered Species Act as amended, has been made that this proposed activity will not affect species designated as threatened or endangered, or adversely affect critical habitat. In order to complete our evaluation, comments are solicited by this public notice from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other interested agencies and individuals.

CULTURAL RESOURCES: The St. Louis District will evaluate information provided by the State Historic Preservation Officer and the public in response to this public notice and we may conduct, or require a reconnaissance survey of the project area.

EVALUATION: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the described activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit which may reasonably be expected to accrue from the described activity must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors, which may be relevant to the described activity will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion, and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, state, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of these proposed activities. Any comments received will be considered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

MICHAEL A. BRAZIER

Chief, Regulatory Branch

Attachments

Attachments:area map p-2261

Attachments: plan view p-2261

It is requested that this notice be conspicuously and continually placed for 21 days from the date of this issuance of this notice.