(KLZA)-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers draft tiered environmental assessment for levee rehabilitation is currently available for public review.

This evaluates the environmental impacts for correcting damages to the R-562 levee system, caused by 2019 flooding along the Missouri River. These damages compromised the level of flood protection the levee system provides and poses a risk to property and life safety.

The proposed project is between miles 541.5 and 549 along the Missouri River that lays within Otoe and Nemaha Counties.

The 2019 flood caused widespread damage to the R-562 levee system which included severe scouring and multiple breaches. Proposed repairs include critical sections lost, crest damages, relief well damage as well as drainage structures and breaches.

A proposal to the levee section surrounding one of the breached areas would be within the boundaries of the levee sponsor's historic easement. The proposed project is deemed necessary to restore a level of flood protection to the leveed area.

The public can provide comments on the draft tiered Environmental Assessment which is available for viewing online. At usace.contentdm.oclc.org/.../p160coll7/id/27049. Comments can be mailed to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District or can be emailed to cenwo-planning@sace.army.mil

Comments must be postmarked or received no later than December 26, 2024.