Corps to talk progress, future of Metro East levees

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District will host two open houses this week to inform stakeholders and the public on the progress and future plans for the federal levee projects in the Metro East.

The 75.8-mile system of levees in the Metro East protects an 111,700-acre area including parts of Alton, East St. Louis, Wood River, Granite City, Cahokia and Columbia, Ill. More than 280,000 residents and workers are protected by these systems, as well as roughly $4.8 billion worth of property, industry and transportation infrastructure.

“We, along with our partners have been vigilant in reducing flood risks to the Metro East,” said Col. Christopher G. Hall, commander of the St. Louis District. “We have a long-term commitment to the lives, economy and communities behind the levees.”

To date, the Corps has invested more than $134 million toward lowering flood risk to the people and residents in the Metro East and built relationships with key stakeholder groups focused on restoring the levees.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of the progress being made to improve the Metro East Levees,” noted Rich Conner, chairman of the Levee Issues Alliance. “We want people to understand not just what is being done to improve the levees but also that the American Bottom is open for business."

The LIA is a coalition of business, civic organizations, community leaders and concerned citizens that has been a motivating and unifying voice for the local and federal levee projects.

The open houses will serve as a place for people to ask questions and gain information from technical experts regarding the federal levee projects in East St. Louis and Wood River, Ill., levee safety, permitting and regulatory programs. General information will also be provided on levee structure and stability, and the Corps’ levee inspection and rehabilitation program.

The open houses will be held at the following dates and locations:

November 13, 2013
Granite City Township Hall
2060 Delmar Ave. 
Granite City, Ill. 
4-6 p.m.

November 14, 2013
National Great Rivers Museum 
#2 Lock and Dam Way
Alton, Ill. 
4-6 p.m.

For additional information, contact the St. Louis District Public Affairs Office at (314) 331-8000.