In a welcome turn for conservation advocates, the proposed “Project Cumulus” data processing center has been withdrawn from consideration in St. Charles County’s 100-year floodplain—a decision that marks a small but meaningful win for the Confluence region.

The Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) raised strong objections to the project, citing irreversible threats to water safety, wetland integrity, and flood resilience. The center’s proximity to the Elm Point groundwater well field and jurisdictional wetlands posed serious risks, especially given the potential for hazardous chemical storage and massive infrastructure demands.

GRHA’s letter to county officials emphasized the ecological and cultural significance of the Confluence, home to migratory birds, historic hunting clubs, and vital agricultural lands.  We also emphasized the immense financial investment by GRHA and partners, including  the Missouri Department of Conservation Commission (MDC) have made in the Confluence.

 The proposed 15-foot of fill on 200 acres would have displaced floodwaters and increased runoff, endangering neighboring properties—including GRHA’s own Jay Henges Wetland Education and Conservation Center, located less than a mile away.

Concerns also mounted over the lack of transparency surrounding the project’s operators, emergency response plans, and the proposed dredge-and-fill pipeline that would have crossed sensitive wetlands habitat already protected by conservation easements. The threat of eminent domain only deepened public unease.

While the withdrawal does not guarantee permanent protection, it reflects the power of coordinated advocacy and the importance of placing ecological resilience above short-term industrial gain. The Confluence floodplain is not a blank canvas—it is a living system, a national treasure, and a legacy worth defending.

GRHA remains committed to safeguarding this landscape and urges continued vigilance against future development proposals that compromise its integrity. For now, the Confluence breathes a little easier.

See GRHA’s letter to the City Council here.

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