CONCORD, Mass. – The Maine Department of Transportation 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 work at the Route 1 culvert in Waldoboro, Maine.
The Maine Department of Transportation proposes to place temporary and permanent fill below the ordinary high water line of an unnamed tributary to the Medomak River and in adjacent freshwater wetlands in Waldoboro in order to extend the up and downstream ends of an existing concrete box culvert beneath Route 1.
The extensions will enable existing failing sideslopes at the Route 1 crossing to be re-constructed and stabilized for safety. The project will result in approximately 2,480 square feet of permanent and 1,215 square feet of temporary stream bed impact, and 1,790 square feet of temporary wetland impact. The extensions, 15 feet upstream and 20 feet downstream, will consist of 3-sided concrete boxes with a natural bed bottom.
Weirs will be placed within the existing culvert and the extensions and rock bands will be established immediately downstream of the new extension, both to facilitate fish and aquatic organism passage. Temporary fill is required for cofferdams and construction access. This work is designed to stabilize critical transportation infrastructure, ensure public safety, and protect the economic vitality of Maine’s transportation network.
The application for the federal permit was filed with the Corps of Engineers in compliance 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 can be viewed at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.
Public comments referencing this permit request by the Maine Department of Transportation (File # NAE-2017-00296) should be forwarded no later than June 8, 2017 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Maine Project Office (ATTN: Jay Clement), 675 Western Ave., #3, Manchester, Maine 04351. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Jay Clement at 207-623-8367 or by email to jay.l.clement@usace.army.mil.