SierraScape June - July 2006
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by Lisa Markham
An important tributary and known habitat for three endangered species, along with a large variety of wildlife, fish and reptiles, Belleau Creek is being proposed to be rerouted, its riparian corridor denuded and a small wetland filled to make way for a large commercial development in O'Fallon, Missouri.
This area, a portion of which is in the 100-year flood plain, is of great importance to two federal and two state agencies that recently visited the site. Belleau Creek is a tributary of Dardenne Creek that empties into the Mississippi River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently reviewing the site for development and in their public notice deemed the site "A High Quality Area."
Mr. Thomas Taylor, the EPA's regional wetlands program coordinator, toured the site and reported: "[The] EPA has considered the high quality of Belleau Creek in the project reach, the proposed wetland loss, the likely long-term loss of quality to the Creek, the increased risk to the already impaired Dardenne Creek water quality, and the unlikely success of the proposed stream and riparian mitigation. Based on these considerations, we conclude that the project may result in unacceptable adverse effects to an aquatic resource of national importance. And the EPA is concerned about Belleau Creek, whose current and future water quality is of concern to the EPA and the state."
As reported in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to elevate the creek out of their Missouri office to their national headquarters. According to Mr. Taylor, such an action is rare and indicates just how seriously the EPA considers the future of Belleau creek. This elevation from a local to national level has only been done three times in the last 20 years. The EPA's threat to bring this project to a national level is meant to send a signal to the Army Corps that the proposed development as submitted is unacceptable and asks the developer to avoid or minimize the impacts to the site.
Mr. Donald Boos of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reported the site's streams "are about as high quality as any left in this area" and thus very worthy of protection.
While Mr. Rick Hansen, United States Fish and Wildlife Service field supervisor, stated: "The proposed stream alteration likely will cause severe and irreversible harm to the affected stream and riparian communities, including their associated fish and wildlife. During the site visit, the resource agencies questioned the need for developing the entire site."
Jane Epperson, spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said in their letter to the Army Corps : "While the applicant proposes the adoption of several low impact development practices in the proposal, the direct impacts to the stream and its riparian corridor are not offset by their use."
Unfortunately, the developer and the city of O'Fallon share a different view. An O'Fallon city official stated the area is a "prime location for commercial development." The developer is currently asking the Corps of Engineers to issue a permit to alter a 2,200-foot stretch of Belleau Creek with total adverse impacts including 3,660 linear feet of waterway. He will clear-cut and destroy a wooded riparian corridor, grade the area to fill the .11 of an acre of wetlands, and fill the flood plain. The project currently plans for an 110,000-square-foot big box anchor, 40,000 square foot junior anchor with 24,000 square foot building connecting the two. Additionally, the site has five to seven other outlots for commercial development. All four governmental agencies agree the proposed project will destroy the habitat of largemouth bass, green sunfish, bluegill, carp, red shiner, flathead minnow, and more varieties of fish now calling Belleau Creek home. The site is also home to red foxes, wild turkey, deer, bats, owls, hawks and even an occasional bald eagle. Consequently all four governmental agencies who have examined this case all agree another site should be selected for this proposed commercial development.
The developer's site permit is presently being reviewed by the Corps of Engineers' St. Louis office. There is still time to get involved and voice your concerns about this project with significant environmental impacts which will be felt not just in O'Fallon, Missouri but as far reaching as the Mississippi River. Any comments can be sent to Charles Frerker at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2833. In addition, comments can be e-mailed to O'Fallon city officials by visiting their website: www.ofallon.mo.us. Look to the left side of their home page and under Menu choose City Government and then select Elected Officials. There you will find the e-mail addresses for the Mayor and city councilmen to let them know your concerns about this proposed project's adverse environmental impact in our state.