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MBTA seeks Corps permit to dredge, repair bulkhead in Mystic River in Boston, Somerville

Published March 28, 2017

CONCORD, Mass. – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) 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 dredging and repairing a bulkhead in Boston and Somerville, Mass. The work is proposed in the Mystic River at 80 Alford Street.

 

The proposed work involves the dredging of approximately 2,150 cubic yards of material to establish stable grades, and the discharge of fill material into approximately 77,300 square feet (1.8 acres) of tidal navigable waters of the U.S. in order to repair an existing, deteriorated sheet-pile bulkhead that comprises the Mystic River shoreline and protects the existing MBTA bus garage and maintenance facility, and to stabilize the existing shoreline, and provide long-term protection from a 100-year flood and coastal resiliency in anticipation of future sea level rise.

 

In the bus garage and storage area, a raised embankment will be installed. The lower portion (below elevation 10.84 feet mean lower low water datum) of the embankment will be protected by stone rip rap; the upper portion will consist of a bioengineering slope planted with native vegetation. All dredged material will be properly stabilized and disposed of and/or reused at a suitable, upland location.

 

As mitigation for the unavoidable impacts to 77,300 square feet of waters of the U.S. the applicant has proposed to create a new intertidal area near the northern site boundary. Existing fill and rubble will be removed and an 11,800 square foot area planted with stable intertidal herbaceous and shrub vegetation.   

 

The project will impact approximately 77,300 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. Habitat at this site can be described as mixed sand, gravel and cobble. Loss of this habitat through partial dredging, and subsequent placement of the proposed stone revetment, may adversely affect winter flounder spawning, nursery and foraging activity. In addition, the site is a known migratory corridor for anadromous fish. 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.; and 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 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, can be viewed on the Corps website at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.

 

Public comments on this work proposed by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (file # NAE-2015-02118) should be forwarded no later than April 27, 2017 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Alan Anacheka-Nasemann), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Alan Anacheka-Nasemann at 978-318-8214 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: alan.r.anacheka-nasemann@usace.army.mil.


Contact
Tim Dugan
978-318-8264
cenae-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 17-018