Residents invited to comment on DuPage River Feasibility Report

Study by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers address flood risks along river and tributaries in Will and DuPage Counties

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District released for public comment today the DuPage River draft integrated feasibility report and environmental assessment. The draft report provides a recommended plan to address flood risk on the DuPage River and its tributaries in the counties of DuPage and Will in Illinois.

The study was completed in partnership with the DuPage County Stormwater Management Commission and the Will County Executive Office. The report is available online at https://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works-Projects/DuPage-River. Comments will be accepted by the Chicago District through Aug. 30, 2018.

The DuPage River study area has experienced rapid development over the past several decades and currently includes 40 communities and approximately 900,000 residents at risk of flooding. Major storm events resulting in overbank flooding occurred in 1996, 2008, 2010, and most recently in April 2013. In coordination with the local sponsors and stakeholders, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers formulated and evaluated a series of plans to reduce flood risk to communities along the DuPage River and its major tributaries. The tentatively-selected plan includes improving the Lisle Levee and flood proofing or buyout of 42 structures in the affected areas.

The Army Corps of Engineers is accepting comments on the report from July 31, 2018, through Aug. 30, 2018. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to dupageriver@usace.army.mil or mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, 231 S. LaSalle Street, Ste. 1500, Chicago, IL 60604, ATTN: DuPage River. Emailed comments must be received by Aug. 30, 2018, and mailed comments must be postmarked by Aug. 30, 2018.

Two public meetings are scheduled at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at the Auditorium of DuPage County’s JTK Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Ill. 60187; and 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at the Plainfield Public Works Building, 14400 Coil Plus Drive, Plainfield, Ill. 60544.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with information about the project, and seek input from members of the community and other stakeholders on the recommended plan.