Corps of Engineers releases McCook Levee Draft Integrated Feasibility Report, Environmental Assessment for public comment

Published April 19, 2018

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District released for public comment the McCook Levee Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment. The draft report provides a recommended plan to address flood risk in the Villages of McCook, Lyons, and Summit, Ill.

The study was completed in partnership with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). The report is available online at www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works-Projects/McCook-Levee/. Comments will be accepted by the Chicago District until May 23, 2018.

While two existing levees, locally named the McCook Levee and the West Lyons Levee, are providing some level of protection for these communities, flooding risk remains due to overtopping risk, risk of breach prior to overtopping as a result of seepage, and a lack of maintenance and repair of the existing structures. Levee assessments conducted by the Corps have identified stability and seepage issues with both structures in their current conditions, and the associated risk of levee failure is considered to be high. The recommended plan will repair and improve the existing McCook Levee in two segmented sections and the West Lyons Levee along its approximately 1,400-foot alignment. 

The Army Corps of Engineers is accepting comments on the report through May 23, 2018.  Comments may be submitted by e-mail to chicagodistrict.pao@usace.army.mil; or mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, 231 S. LaSalle Street, Ste. 1500, Chicago, IL 60604, ATTN: McCook Levee. Emailed comments must be received by May 23, 2018, and mailed comments must be postmarked by May 23, 2018.

A public meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the McCook Village Hall, 5000 Glencoe Ave., McCook, Ill. 60525. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with information about the project, and seek input from members of the community and other stakeholders on the recommended plan.


Contact
Vanessa Villarreal
Vanessa.Villarreal@usace.army.mil

Release no. 18-029