CONCORD, Mass. – Guy Simonian is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District to conduct work in waters of the United States in conjunction with constructing a new, fixed walkway and dock configuration on residential property in Madison, Conn.

The proposed project includes work in navigable waters for a fixed walkway and access ramp leading to a pier, ramp and float configuration at a residential property on the Neck River at 278 Neck Road in Madison. The proposed dock configuration will provide waterside access over an existing marsh. This structure primarily will be used for mooring a small, recreational boat and for kayak/canoe launching and retrieving.

Proposed new work includes constructing a 2-foot by 290-foot fixed, timber walkway with open grate decking supported by 25 helical mono-piles. A 2-foot by 22-foot aluminum access ramp will connect the timber walkway to a 4-foot by 44-foot post and pile-supported timber pier. A 3-foot by 27-foot aluminum access ramp will connect the timber pier to an 8-foot by 12.5-foot timber float anchored by three restraint posts. 

The project will impact 980 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. This habitat consists of peat and marsh vegetation. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect some of these species. However, the Corps has made a preliminary determination that the site-specific adverse effect will not be substantial. Further consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding Essential Fish Habitat 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 of Engineers 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 United States. The public notice can be viewed on the Corps website at  http://www.nae.usace.army.mil. Select Regulatory/Permitting and then weekly public notices.

Public comments on the Corps permit review (File # NAE-2011-178) should be forwarded no later than Sept. 23, 2011 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Lindsay Flieger), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Lindsay Flieger at 978-318-8656 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: lindsay.flieger@usace.army.mil.