Local residents can go online to review a draft report developed by the National Parks Service on its plans to shore up and repair an eroding slope on a bluff to protect a section of the National Cemetery along the bayou.

Mint Spring runs through the Vicksburg National Military Park and along the southern edge of the cemetery, and drains into the Yazoo River Diversion Canal. During flood periods, Military Park Superintendent Justice said, the river backs up into the creek.

According to information from the National Park Service, the Mint Spring Bayou slope is vulnerable to damage from severe rains and future damage and erosion.

A southern brick wall around the cemetery has already collapsed and fallen into the bayou, and continued erosion at the base of the walls could undercut the wall and threaten the present repairs, which were made in 2011.

“This is a problem that has been going on for several years,” Justice said in June. “At one time we put in shotcrete (a product used to stabilize slopes) and that has done very well. But we’ve found out we’ve got to stabilize under that area to fully protect it.”

Park Service officials propose to stabilize and repair the slope using an earth or stone berm at the bottom of the bluff backed by a 317-foot stabilized earth retaining wall running parallel to the slope.

The berm, which will consist of crushed stone or fill material, will be installed between the existing slope and the retaining wall, and horizontal drains along the base of the slopes would help drainage. People interested in reviewing the draft online can go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/vick.