News Expected On Borrow Site

By ERIC X. VICCARO

eviccaro@stegenherald.com

Ste. Genevieve County Levee District No. 3 board members received an update on what may be done with the “borrow site.”

The “borrow site” is a mass of dirt located near the levee, which could be used during times of catastrophic flooding.

Board member Tom Okenfuss asked what’s going on with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the site – which was recently renamed Lake Audubon.

John J. Audubon was an ornithologist, naturalist and painter who made a complete pictorial record of all the bird species of North America. 

Audubon spent some time in Ste. Genevieve during his life, and the area around the “borrow site” is a haven for birds.

Ste. Genevieve city administrator Happy Welch responded, stating all the property easements have been sent off for review.

It was reported that the USFWS will be having discussions soon with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

A decision will be made either to keep the current “borrow site” or finding a new one.

Welch reported during the meeting the USFWS and Corps will be in Ste. Genevieve this week to talk about the surveys. 

In minutes provided to the Herald, it was learned the Corps will be “specific with what can and cannot be done on the 50-acre borrow site.”

The consensus of the levee board is that they would like to have a permanent “borrow site,” and the area is continually a “work in progress.”

Levee superintendent Norman Gallup noted the Corps will be performing a five-year inspection on the levee later during the autumn.