Mark Mann photo

Erosion control blanket placed along Embankment Area "A" for the Northwest Tennessee Regional Harbor.

     The weather may be cooling off in the Mid-South, but there’s plenty of activity heating up across the Memphis District. Here’s a roundup of what is happening as we move into November.

     Heading toward a new harbor

      Project Manager Bill Donlon says work on an important part of the Northwest Tennessee Regional Harbor Project is set to begin as soon as river stages permit.

      He hopes the Mississippi River will see a significant rise soon, allowing the contract cutterhead dredge Pontchartrain to move into position and go to work.

     “This is the real ‘meat’ of the project,” Donlon said. “Dredging for the new harbor and depositing the dredge material into two large containment areas is a huge part of the work we have to do.”

     Located on the Mississippi River near Tiptonville, Tenn., at the former Cates Landing mat casting field, the slackwater harbor*, currently under construction is expected to bring significant benefits to the region.

      The project sponsors believe its location near major Interstate highways and rail lines will contribute to its success.

Mark Mann photo

These discharge pipes and the outfall ditch for embankment area "A" are part of the work already completed.

     “This is the biggest economic development project we’ve seen in northwest Tennessee in my lifetime,” said U.S. Congressman John Tanner in a news release. The project falls within his Congressional district, and Tanner has long been a strong supporter. “Because of our prime location and great water and land resources, this growth will put us on the map of the world’s major cargo-shipping points.”

     According to Tanner, initial economic impact studies indicate the port and adjacent industrial park will boost the regional agricultural economy and attract new industry to the area, creating more than 5,600 new jobs – 3,000 direct jobs and more than 2,600 indirect positions.

     Dredging is expected to take approximately 60 days and Donlon says local project sponsors initial operations at the harbor can begin as early as September 2010.

     Cooperative effort is “Restoring America’s Greatest River”

      Work has already begun on a significant environmental project within eyeshot of downtown Memphis.

Ron Nassar photo

(Left to right) LMRCC Development Coordinator Bob Geary, Memphis District Civil Engineer Zach Cook, and Mississippi Linestone Construction Superintendent Steven Stewart surveying the Loosahatchie Bar Project.

     “We are working to cut 10 notches in seven existing stone dikes located just north of the I-40 Bridge,” Ron Nassar of the Fish and Wildlife Service said. Nassar is working closely with the Memphis District and even has an office in our Environmental Branch.

      “We selected this project because was assigned a high priority during the ‘Restoring America’s Greatest River’ planning process and there is significant interest in its construction,” he said.

     Nassar explained that the notches in the dikes will not change their purpose in maintaining the navigation channel, but will reintroduce a limited amount of water flow into a secondary channel during all but the lowest stages on the Mississippi River.

     “The secondary channels provide habitat for many species of fish and other aquatic-dependent species in the late summer and early fall,” he said.

     The LMRCC is overseeing the project and funding comes from the Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its Fish Passage Program. The Memphis District provided technical assistance in planning and designing the project.

Ron Nassar photo

Workers take advantage of low river stages to "notch" one of the Loosahatchie Bar dikes.

     Corps set to sign regional pact with DU

      In another collaborative effort, Mississippi Valley Division Commander Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh is scheduled to sign a regional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ducks Unlimited (DU) in Memphis at the end of November.

     “If we are to engage in finding solutions that sustain both the natural environment and the economic benefits of water use, we must become more inclusive in the make up of our partnerships,” he said recently. “We are all stewards of the environment, and we all have a stake in the economic health of America. To be successful, we must continue to work together, share ideas and dedicate ourselves to finding comprehensive solutions that work. Through cooperation, communication and commitment, we will make a lasting difference for our Nation.” 

     Dr. Alan Wentz, Senior Group Manager for Ducks Unlimited, weighed in on the importance of the agreement, and explained how it will impact the way DU and the Corps of Engineers work together.

     “We will share information, expertise, and resources to plan and implement habitat restoration, protection and management projects and ensure that these projects are designed using the best science and engineering in an ecologically sustainable manner,” he said.

Courtesy photo

The MOU scheduled for signing in late November will encourage more projects like the Sheburne Wildlife Management Area in Louisiana.

• Wetland restoration
• Wetland mitigation
• Cooperation opportunities through the Water Resources Development Act
• Post-Midwest flood restoration opportunities

     In addition to Gen. Walsh and Dr. Wentz, other officials expected to sign the MOU include DU Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office Director Bob Hoffman (represented by David Brakhage - Dir. of Conservation Programs), DU Great Plains Regional Office Director Steve Adair and DU Southern Regional Office Director Curtis Hopkins.

     As you can see, the next 30 days promises to keep us busy. Look for more stories on these projects and how the people of the Memphis District are “Building Strong” for America’s future.

     * A slack-water harbor is where a steady level of still water makes for easier loading and unloading than in parts of the river with fast-moving currents.

     ** Under the authority provided by Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, the Corps of Engineers may plan, design and build modifications to existing Corps projects, or areas degraded by Corps projects, to restore aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife.