The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, which owns and operates the Ballard's Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, is seeking public comments regarding a draft report on an evaluation and management proposal for the Corps’ property on the south side of the Locks near the fish ladder.

The draft South Entry Landscape Report is available online for review under the announcement section here or can be downloaded with the link at the beginning of this article. The Army Corps of Engineers is accepting comments on the document through Oct. 15.

The Army Corps of Engineers initiated the study in response to the need for an evaluation and management proposal for the south entry landscape, according to an Army Corps of Engineers press release. The report provides a historic context for the property and will help guide decisions for managing the landscape features, according to the press release.

According to the report, it has been nearly 40 years since the original landscape installation, and some plantings have thrived while others have died or been removed or replaced. In some areas, invasive species have become dominant, according to the report.

In addition to the report, the Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public open house from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 to provide information about the report and answer questions related to proposals. The open house will be held at the Chittenden Locks Visitor Center, located at 3015 N.W. 54th St.

Comments may be sent to southentrycomments@usace.army.mil and should reference the “South Entry Draft Evaluation and Management Proposal Plan” in the subject line.