CONCORD, Mass. – Permit applicant Mark Lender 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 placing stones to reconstruct a groin in Long Island Sound at 155 Shore Road in Clinton, Conn.
The proposed work involves the placement of 80 cubic yards of stone into a 360-square-foot area of Long Island Sound in order to reconstruct a groin that was originally constructed sometime in the early 1900s, but is not currently serviceable and is in disrepair. The original groin was approximately 50 feet long by 6 to 8 feet wide, but has been displaced and at present covers a 900-square-foot area. The reconstructed groin is proposed to match the original footprint but also extend an additional 10 feet into Long Island Sound. The proposed groin will begin at the existing seawall and extend 60 feet waterward. The proposed groin will be approximately 6 feet wide and range in elevation above the substrate from 3.5 feet to 6 feet.
The permit applicant stated that the groin is capable of protecting adjacent residences while not preventing sediment from moving to the other local beaches. Additionally, the applicant has stated that the groin will maximize the width of the beach in front of the residences it protects, while not significantly impacting neighboring beaches.
The applicant has stated the construction will follow these Best Management Practices: staging will occur above the high tide line (HTL); there will be no storage of toxic substances within Corps jurisdiction; there will be no storage or use of equipment or materials within any existing tidal wetland area; the contractor will use leak free equipment using organically based hydraulic oils; the project area will be continually monitored for debris or disturbance; prior to starting work each day, the contractor will walk the project area to inspect for any wildlife; and the contractor will use a soft start of equipment daily for the protection of any nearby wildlife.
There is no dredging proposed with this project. Placement of rock will impact approximately 360 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). Habitat at this site can be described as sand, gravel and cobble. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect species that use these waters and substrate. 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 permit applicant Mark Lender, can be viewed on the Corps website at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.
Public comments on this work proposed by permit applicant Mark Lender (file # NAE-2017-00993) should be forwarded no later than July 26, 2018 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Joshua Helms), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Joshua Helms at 978-318-8211 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: joshua.m.helms@usace.army.mil.