CONCORD, Mass. – Americas Styrenics, LLC 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 proposed dredging in the Thames River in Gales Ferry, Conn.
The proposed work involves maintenance dredging of two distinct areas adjacent to the federal navigation channel in the Thames River at Allyn’s Point in Gales Ferry. One area is an approximately 100,000-square- foot berthing area with dredge depths to -23 feet mean low water and the other area is an approximately 224,000-square-foot turning area with dredge depths to -25 feet mean low water. A total of approximately 100,000 cubic yards of material will be dredged mechanically and disposed of at the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site.
The purpose of the proposed dredging is to remove sediment that has accumulated in the ship berthing area along an existing pier and within the turning basin used for egress by vessels leaving the pier. The pier is used for the off-loading of liquid styrene by ships. The dredging portion of the project will impact approximately 324,000 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. Habitat at this site can be described as silt, sand and gravel. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect 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 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.; with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge or fill of material in U.S. waters, including wetlands; and with Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, which regulates the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of disposal in the ocean.
The public notice, with more specifics on the proposed work, can be viewed on the Corps website at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.
Public comments on this work proposed by Americas Styrenics, LLC (file #NAE-2008-3268) should be forwarded no later than April 10, 2015 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Diane Ray), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Diane Ray at 978-318-8831 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: diane.m.ray@usace.army.mil.