CONCORD, Mass. – CPB2, LLC, of Portland, Maine, is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District to conduct work in waters of the U.S. in conjunction with redeveloping and expanding an existing recreational marina with associated waterfront redevelopment in Portland Harbor in Portland, Maine.
CPB2, LLC is proposing that the existing 69-slip marina will be replaced with a 141-slip facility consisting of a line of floats running parallel to shore with four float systems attached perpendicular to the southeast with associated finger float systems. The northern and seaward lines of floats will integrate a subsurface wave attenuator element. A similarly designed 150-foot by 20-foot float will be moored just southwest of the main marina footprint to provide additional wave protection to the facility. All floats will be bottom-moored and the marina system will be accessed from shore by ramps extending from the shore.
Appurtenant elements include a fuel dock and holding tank pump out central to the marina layout, a pile- supported deck extending from shore and over a former boat ramp to support a marina operations building, and a dinghy dock. Upland elements will include commercial and residential development and re-development, parking, and a pedestrian boardwalk. The marina will provide the services of power, fuel, marine pump out, general slip space and larger yacht berthing
This proposed project will affect approximately 20 acres of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. This habitat consists of marine unconsolidated bottom composed of silt, sand, gravel, and manmade debris (brick, concrete, wood debris and the assorted detritus of a centuries old working waterfront) with relatively low populations of flora, epi-fauna, or infauna. During pile driving operations and the setting of moorings, suspended sediments and noise may temporarily displace fish in the project area. In the long-term conditions are expected to rapidly return to baseline conditions, recognizing that marina operations have been conducted on site for many years.
The Corps has made a preliminary determination that the sitespecific adverse effect will not be substantial. Further consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding EFH conservation recommendations is being conducted and will be concluded prior to the final permit decision.
The application for the federal permit was filed with the Corps in compliance with Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, which provides for federal regulation of any work in, or affecting navigable waters of the U.S. The public notice can be viewed at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.
Public comments referencing this permit request by CPB2, LLC (File # NAE-2017-00732) should be forwarded no later than Aug. 10, 2017 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Maine Project Office (ATTN: Jay Clement), 675 Western Ave., #3, Manchester, Maine 04351. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Jay Clement at 207-623-8367 or by email to jay.l.clement@usace.army.mil.