Chicago (July 21, 2016) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) have released for public review and comment the Forest View Draft Detailed Project Report and Integrated Environmental Assessment.
A public meeting to provide information about the project and to gather public comment will be held on Aug. 4, 2106 at Forest View Village Hall, 7000 W. 46th Street, Forest View, Ill. The public is invited to attend an informal discussion session from 5:00 p.m. until 6 p.m. The formal public meeting will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The report outlines a recommendation for addressing flood risk in the communities of Forest View and Stickney, Illinois, which is associated with overbank flooding from the Des Plaines River. Lyons Levee, which provides a line of protection for the communities, was overtopped during a record flood event in April 2013. Levee assessments conducted by USACE and others have identified stability and seepage issues with the structure in its current condition. The tentatively selected plan will repair and improve the existing Lyons Levee along its entire 4,200 foot alignment.
The communities of Forest View and Stickney, Illinois are located outside the western border of the City of Chicago, about 10 miles from the downtown area. In the leveed area, there are approximately 800 homes, large industrial facilities used for storing fuels, a Commonwealth Edison power substation, wastewater treatment facilities associated with the MWRDGC Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Home Elementary School, and Edison School. The Forest View Police and Fire Stations, and the Stickney Fire Department are also located within the leveed area. Flooding at these critical facilities could impede the ability to respond to emergency and put lives at risk.
The Draft Detailed Project Report and Integrated Environmental Assessment, documenting the study process and recommendations, was released for public review and comment on July 21, 2016. The report is available online at www.lrc.usace.army.mil (follow link under “Hot Info” at the top of the page). USACE is accepting comments on the report through Aug. 26, 2016. Public comments must be received by Aug. 26, 2016. Comments can be submitted via email to ChicagoDistrict.Pao@usace.army.mil or via postal mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, ATTN: Planning Branch (Forest View), 231 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Suite 1500, Illinois, 60604. Emailed comments must be received by Aug. 26, 2016, and mailed comments must be postmarked by Aug. 26, 2016. Questions can be directed to the Public Affairs Office at (312) 846-5330.