CONCORD, Mass. – The Narragansett Boat Club 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 the expansion of the boating facility in Providence, Rhode Island. This work is proposed in the Seekonk River at 2 River Drive in Providence.
The proposed work involves the expansion of the boating facility at the Narragansett Boat Club. This includes the addition of new floats (1,962 square feet), the placement of 10 new pilings (30 square feet), and the construction of a pile-supported timber pier and gangway (360 square feet).
The dimensions of these structures is listed in the public notice on the Corp website listed below. The area of the facility will increase in size by 2,332 square feet. The existing facility is 4,523 square feet. The proposed facility will encompass a 6,881-square-foot area.
Additional work includes the removal and relocation of two dolphins in order to facilitate the construction of the new floating docks.
The activities proposed also will require permission from the Corps pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 408 because it will alter or temporarily or permanently occupy or use a Corps federally-authorized Civil Works project known as the Seekonk River Federal navigation project. The proposed alteration involves the addition of a new ramp, floats, and piles to an existing dock system on the west side of the river and approximately 3 feet outside of the Federal channel limits.
The proposed project will impact 2,332 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). This habitat consists of open water and silt/clay substrate. 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 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, which provides for federal regulation of any work that will alter, occupy or use a Corps federally-authorized Civil Works project. The public notice, with more specifics on the work proposed by the Narragansett Boat Club, can be viewed on the Corps website at https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/PublicNotices/.
Public comments on this work proposed by the Narragansett Boat Club (file # NAE-2011-00093) should be forwarded no later than Sept. 5, 2019 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.