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County updates board on dam removal and bridge projects, flags FEMA scoping and easement constraint
Summary
Public works staff outlined progress and interagency coordination on a dam removal and bridge replacement program and said FEMA's initial scoping produced a non‑constructible repair scope unless private easements are acquired; staff described testing, NEPA steps and next actions with Barr Engineering, TKDA, FERC, MnDOT and FEMA.
Public works staff told the Blue Earth County Board on Dec. 2 that the county's dam removal and related bridge replacement work is advancing but requires continued coordination with multiple federal and state agencies. Staff described recent meetings with Barr Engineering, TKDA, MnDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, FEMA, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and FERC on NEPA, cultural resources and hydraulic documentation.
Staff said sediment testing completed in 2019–2020 did not classify sediments as contaminated but showed agricultural impact from runoff. They also reported Barr Engineering provided a memorandum to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and that FEMA has been reviewing and scoping potential repairs. Public works staff told the board at several points that FEMA's initial cost‑scoping approach did not account for private parcel easements that make repair or access impractical; staff said they pushed back and that FEMA regional management would revisit the directive (SEG 461–483).
The county is preparing to provide FERC with final work‑area limits needed for NEPA documents and coordinating hydraulic information between consultants (Barr, TKDA) and state reviewers. Staff noted TKDA is increasing production on design sheets and that the county anticipates larger consultant invoices as design work ramps up. Commissioners asked clarifying questions and staff said a public open house on the project is planned (tentatively Jan. 6) when more of the park/dam conceptual layout is available.
Next steps listed by staff include finalizing NEPA limits for FERC, resolving FEMA scoping vs. easement constraints, continuing coordination with SHPO on cultural resource issues, and public outreach once project footprints are better defined.
