NEW ORLEANS – A hydrographic survey of the St. Croix River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will assist the Coast Guard to make a determination where and how Coast Guard-maintained aids to navigation (ATON) will be placed on the river.
Following a public meeting March 2, 2010 in Stillwater, Minn., to collect comments regarding the Coast Guard’s proposed plan to remove aids to navigation on the St. Croix River, collaboration with the Corps of Engineers has resulted in two options for marking the waterway.
If the survey, scheduled to be completed in May, 2010, shows sufficient river channel width and depth for the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Wyaconda to transit the river safely, fixed aids to navigation will be established. These aids are intended to be in place year round. If the survey shows there is not enough width and depth for the Wyaconda, seasonal floating aids to navigation will be installed.
“The Coast Guard has been working closely with the Corps of Engineers and other shareholders to find a viable option for the St. Croix River,” said Capt. John Arenstam, Chief of waterways management for the Eighth Coast Guard District. “When the survey becomes available to us, we’ll make a decision on how best to mark the waterway in a manner that is safe and in compliance with our current policies and procedures.”
The exact location and number of aids will be determined after a thorough review of the completed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ hydrographic survey.
