HomeMy WebLinkAbout49. Update/Proposed Dredging/Sawyer Creek DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
215 Church Avenue
P.O.Box 1130
41.1r)
Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54903-1130
Ph.(920)236-5065 OfHKOIH
Fax(920)236-5068 ON THE WATER
March 16, 2012
RE: Notice of Complete Application, Public Informational Meeting,and Public Comment Period for
Environmental Assessment for Proposed Dredging on Sawyer Creek
Dear Property Owner or Resident:
You are receiving this letter as an interested party in the proposed dredging along Sawyer Creek between North
Koeller Street and the Fox River. Enclosed is the Notice of Complete Application;Notice of Public Informational
Meeting;Notice of Public Comment Period for Environmental Assessment;for Proposed Dredging on Sawyer
Creek from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The City of Oshkosh has applied for a
WDNR permit to dredge Sawyer Creek from North Koeller Street to the Fox River. In conjunction with the
dredging,the City of Oshkosh intends to replace storm sewer outfalls into Sawyer Creek within the dredging area,
construct two fishing holes,provide in-stream wildlife habitat adjacent to the fishing holes, and construct a canoe
launch. Per the notice,Andrew Hudak(WDNR Green Bay Office) should be contacted with any questions,
comments, or concerns with the permit application.
Sincerely,
Ea/X
James Rabe,P.E., CPESC
Civil Engineer II
JER/tlt
Enclosure: Notice of Complete Application;Notice of Public Informational Meeting;Notice of Public
Comment Period for Environmental Assessment; for Proposed Dredging on Sawyer Creek
cc: 12-03 Permits File
1:1Engineering\12-03 Sawyer Creek Channel Improvements\Pr ject_Information\Permits\General Riparian Public Notice Page 1 of 1
Ltr 3-16-12.doc
Notice of Complete Application;
Notice of Public Informational Meeting;
Notice of Public Comment Period for,Environmental Assessment;
for Proposed Dredging on Sawyer Creek
The City of Oshkosh, James Rabe,P.O. Box 1130,Oshkosh,WI 54903,will hold a public information
meeting at 5:30 pm on Wednesday March 28th in Room 404 of the Oshkosh City Hall located at 215
Church Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54903, on the application to the Department of Natural Resources for a
permit to remove up to 30,000 cubic yards of material from the bed of Sawyer Creek in the City of
Oshkosh. The City also proposes to stabilize up to 1,500 lineal feet of eroded shoreline; install in-stream
habitat structures; construct a canoe launch;replace up to 9 storm sewer outfall structures; disturb over
10,000 square feet on the bank; and temporarily disturb up to 0.72 acres of wetland.
The purpose of this project is to achieve a reduction in the 100 year floodplain elevation along Sawyer
Creek by removing accumulated sediment and reshaping the stream profile. The project will serve to
provide additional flow capacity to the stream and provide relief to flooding in the localized watershed.
The project is located in Section 15,Township 18 North,Range 16 East, City of Oshkosh, Winnebago
County.
The Department has determined that the application is complete and is currently evaluating the applicant's
proposal. The Department will also be conducting a public informational hearing where individuals can
learn more about the proposed activity and submit written or oral comments about the waterway and
project in light of the standards below. The Department must consider factual information about the
following legal standards in deciding whether to issue, modify,or deny the approval or permit to the
applicant:
• Whether navigation is materially obstructed, including commercial,recreational, active and passive
forms of navigation
• Whether there is detriment to the public interest, including fish and wildlife or their habitat,natural
scenic beauty or water quality
• Whether the flood flow capacity of a stream is materially reduced
The Department will follow the steps below to reach its final decision on the application:
1. Review the plans and information provided by the applicant.
2. Review the information from public comments.
3. Review the information presented at a public informational hearing if one is requested.
4. Review the information found in natural resource inventories and plans, maps, or data
collected by the Department or others using commonly accepted methods.
5. Determine whether the proposed project or activity complies with s. 1.11, Stats [the
Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act], and ch.NR 150,Wis.Adm. Code.
The Department has made a tentative determination that it will approve the project with conditions.
The Department has prepared an Environmental Analysis (EA) for this project.This EA is
available for public review upon request by appointment at the Department's Oshkosh Service
Center. Appointments to review the EA can be made by calling(920) 662-5117. Comments to the
EA must be received by Andrew Hudak at the DNR 2984 Shawano Avenue Green Bay, WI 54313
no later than 4:30 pm on April 9, 2012. The Department has determined that the expected impacts
of this proposal is not of sufficient scope and detail for it to be a major action,which would
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, an environmental impact
statement is not required prior to final action by the Department
Any member of the public may submit written comments to the address above by U.S. mail.
Comments should include the docket number or applicant name, and shall relate to whether the
project meets the legal standards listed above. Comments shall be postmarked no later than 10 days
(Monday April 9th) following the public information meeting
If you would like to know more about this project or would like to see the application and plans, write to
Andrew Hudak, Wisconsin DNR, 2984 Shawano Avenue Green Bay, WI 54313 or phone(920) 662-5117
or attend the public informational hearing being held at 5:30 pm on Wednesday March 28th in Room 404
of the Oshkosh City Hall located at 215 Church Avenue, Oshkosh,WI 54903.
Reasonable accommodation,including the provision of informational material in an alternative format,will be
provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Pursuant to s. 30.208(3)(e), Stats,within 30 days after the public hearing is held,the department
shall render a decision that approves, modifies or denies the permit that is the subject of the
application by mailing its decision to the applicant.
The final decision may be appealed as indicated in the decision document.
Docket Number IP NE-2011-71-07317-07335
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
For the Secretary
zei
Andrew Hudak Date 3/8/2012
Water Management Specialist