Corps of Engineers to expedite permitting for Illinois levee projects

The Army Corps of Engineers said it will expedite the permitting process for the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District to enable the district to start its $161 million project to upgrade the region’s levees as soon as possible. Les Sterman, an executive with the district, said he is doubtful if the “permitting process will be as streamlined as it needs to be to get this project done.” However, Corps of Engineers Col. Tom O’Hara said the Corps is working very hard to assist the district “[b]ecause we have a shared vision of where we want to go with this.”