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 replacing the Route 1 Bridge in Hampden, Maine.
The Maine Department of Transportation plans to place temporary and permanent fill below the high tide line and ordinary high water mark of Souadabscook Stream in Hampden in order to replace the existing deteriorated Route 1 Bridge. The proposed project will result in approximately 1,460 square feet of permanent and 9,870 square feet of temporary stream bed impact. This proposed work is designed to maintain critical transportation infrastructure, ensure public safety and protect the economic vitality of Maine's transportation network.
In-water construction at the site will impact Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Atlantic salmon. This habitat consists of stream bed composed of ledge, cobbles and boulders interspersed with smaller stones, silt, sand and gravel. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has initiated consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Although FHWA has taken the lead in this consultation, the Corps has made the preliminary determination that the site-specific adverse effect will not be substantial. Any consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding EFH conservation recommendations will be concluded prior to the final permit decision.
The replacement bridge structure also will require approval or exemption from the U.S. Coast Guard. For information concerning their decision criteria, contact First Coast Guard District, Battery Building, Room 301, 1 South Street, New York, NY 10004-1466.
The application for the federal permit was filed with the Corps 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, with more specifics on the work proposed by the Maine Department of Transportation, 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 Maine Department of Transportation (file # NAE-2019-00029) should be forwarded no later than March 21, 2019 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division, Maine Project Office (ATTN: Jay Clement), 442 Civic Center Drive, Suite 350, Augusta, Maine, 04330. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Jay Clement at 207-623-8367, ext. 1 or by email to: jay.l.clement@usace.army.mil.