CONCORD, Mass. – The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Waterway Office is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District to conduct work in waters of the U.S. to install and maintain commercial moorings around a number of the Boston Harbor islands in Boston and Hull, Mass.

This work is proposed within Boston Harbor adjacent to Spectacle Island, Peddocks Island, Georges Island and Gallops Island in Boston and Hull. Massachusetts DCR proposes to install and to maintain a total of 161 commercial moorings. The purpose is to provide transient/ short-term mooring space and improved navigable access for boaters visiting the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. 

Massachusetts DCR, after coordination with the Island Alliance, has taken responsibility for managing the 50 rental moorings previously authorized under Corps permit #200001090. Massachusetts DCR plans to relocate these moorings. In addition, they plan to install up to 111 additional commercial moorings as follows: Gallops Island, up to 11 moorings on the southeastern side of the island; Georges Island, up to 25 moorings on the northwestern side of the island; Peddocks Island, up to 75 moorings on the northwestern side of the island; and Spectacle Island, up to 50 moorings on the western side of the island.

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 U.S.

The public notice, with more specifics on the proposed work by the Massachusetts DCR, 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 Massachusetts DCR (file # NAE-2016-1616) should be forwarded no later than May 11, 2017 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Paul Sneeringer), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Paul Sneeringer at 978-318-8491 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: paul.j.sneeringer@usace.army.mil.