NEWSROOM

News Release

CESWF-PA-06-016     Contact: Judy Marsicano

Immediate 17 Jan 06     Phone: (817) 886-1517

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Fort Worth Central City Project

FORT WORTH, Texas - The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) today on the Fort Worth Central City Project. The EIS addresses the multipurpose project of flood damage reduction, ecosystem improvement, and recreation development within and along a portion of the Trinity River in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the public was informed in October 2002 of the intent to prepare a draft EIS for a study area bound by Interstate Highway 30 on the Clear Fork, Rockwood Park on the upstream end of the West Fork, Northeast 28th Street on Marine Creek, a tributary of the West Fork, and Riverside Drive on the downstream end of the West Fork. Notice was given in October 2004 that as a result of public input, the study area had expanded to include the additional area between Rockwood Park and U.S. Highway 183. The draft EIS was announced in the Federal Register on June 24, 2005 and was available for comment until Sept. 7, 2005. Over 500 people attended public comment meetings on July 26 and 27, 2005.

Following thorough review of comments received from the public, special interest groups and other federal, state and local agencies the final EIS identifies plans to increase flood damage reduction potential and/or prevent future damages through establishing hydraulic and hydrologic mitigation through new and creative methodologies that will reduce environmental impacts and provide for improved aesthetic properties. The final EIS also provides opportunities for ecosystem improvement including increased connectivity of existing high resource value environmental and recreational opportunities between isolated natural resources based along the Trinity River in Fort Worth.

The final EIS may be viewed at on the Fort Worth District web site at www.swf.usace.army.mil. The official closing date for the public review of the Final EIS is 30 days from the date on which the Notice of Availability of the Final EIS appears in the Federal Register, which is anticipated to be on 20 January 2006. Following the required 30-day public review, a Record of Decision will be prepared which documents the Corps findings and recommendations. For more information contact Clay Church, 817-886-1310, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District public affairs.

Visit the Fort Worth District web site at www.swf.usace.army.mil.