CONCORD, Mass. – The city of New Haven, Parks and Engineering Department, 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 beach nourishment in New Haven, Connecticut. This work is proposed in Long Island Sound in New Haven Harbor at 60-168 Townsend Avenue in New Haven.
The proposed work involves beach nourishment which will consist of 22,750 cubic yards of fill material distributed over 3.65 acres waterward of the high tide line. Sand will either be trucked to the site or delivered by barge. The requested 10-year maintenance permit allows for approximately 1,000 cubic yards per year (10,000 cubic yards over 10 years) to be used for maintenance.
The purpose of the proposed project is to create flood and wave protection by means of beach nourishment. The applicant has provided this statement: ''the proposed nourishment is the least environmentally damaging/practicable solution to: maintain the beaches, reduce erosion, and provide protection to infrastructure by reducing flood and wave impacts immediately landward.''
This proposed project will have an adverse effect on 3.65 acres of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). This habitat consists of sand, cobble and stone. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect species that use these waters and substrate. The Corps has made a preliminary determination that site-specific impacts may be substantial. Accordingly, the Corps will submit an EFH assessment to the National Marine Fisheries Service, who in turn will provide conservation recommendations to the Corps. The Corps will coordinate with the applicant regarding implementation of these recommendations. The EFH consultation will be concluded prior to the final permit decision.
The application 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.; and with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge or fill of material in U.S. waters, including wetlands. The public notice, with more specifics on the work proposed by the city of New Haven, can be viewed on the Corps website at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.
Public comments on this work proposed by the city of New Haven (file # NAE-2018-02370) should be forwarded no later than March 28, 2019 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Mr. Taylor Bell), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Mr. Taylor Bell at 978-318-8952 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: taylor.m.bell@usace.army.mil.