NEWSROOM

News Release

Release No. CESWF-PA-NR05-023       Contact: Judy Marsicano

For Release: Immediate 14 June 05       Phone: (817) 886-1517

Corps of Engineers releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on Fort Worth Central City Project

FORT WORTH, Texas - The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) today on the Fort Worth Central City Project. The DEIS addresses the potential multipurpose projects for ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction, 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 DEIS 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 DEIS identifies plans to evaluate flood damage reduction potential and/or prevent future damages through establishing hydraulic and hydrologic mitigation through new and creative methodologies that reduce environmental impact and provide for improved aesthetic properties. The DEIS also provides opportunities for ecosystem restoration including increased connectivity of existing high resource value environmental and recreational opportunities between isolated natural resources bases along the study area.

The 502 mb report includes 290 pages plus 11 appendices. It is available for public review on the Fort Worth District web site at www.swf.usace.army.mil.

The Notice of Availability of the DEIS is anticipated to appear in the Federal Register on or about June 20, 2005. Written comments on the DEIS may be sent to Dr. Rebecca Griffith, CESWF-PER-P, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, P.O. Box 17300, 819 Taylor Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300 or faxed to 817-886-6498. The official closing date for the receipt of comments will be 45 days from the date the Notice appears in the Federal Register.

Public meetings will be scheduled during the month of July. Notice of such meetings will be sent to local media and posted on this website: www.TrinityRiverVision.org. For more information contact Clay Church, 817-886-1310, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District public affairs.