CONCORD, Mass. – Pine Island Real Estate, LLC, 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 to increase the amount of vessels that the marina can accommodate in Groton, Connecticut. This work is proposed in Pine Island Bay at 916 Shennecossett Road in Groton.

The proposed project work involves the removal of an 8-foot wide by 121-foot long floating dock, an 8-foot wide by 100-foot long floating dock with (2) finger floats, (8) 4-foot wide by 20-foot long finger floats, a 4-foot wide by 30-foot long finger float, and the associated pilings.

Also, work will include the construction and maintenance of an 8-foot wide by 563-foot long floating dock, (33) 4-foot wide by 24-foot long finger floats, (3) 4-foot wide by 30-foot long finger floats, an 8-foot wide by 24-foot long finger float, an 8-foot wide by 48-foot long finger float, an 8-foot wide by 12-foot long concrete ramp landing, a 3.5-foot wide by 24-foot long ramp, and 70 tie-off pilings.

Some (150) 12-inch Class B Southern Yellow Pine piles will be driven with a suspended air hammer by a barge-mounted crane during construction of this project.

The purpose of this proposed project is to increase the amount of vessels that the marina in Groton can accommodate. This expansion will provide space for approximately 50 recreational vessels.

No compensatory mitigation has been proposed for this project. Special conditions will be included in any permit authorization to minimize impacts to Endangered Species Act listed species and essential fish habitat in the project area.

This proposed project will impact 1.03 acres of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). This habitat consists of sandy shallow waters. 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 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 Pine Island Real Estate, LLC, can be viewed on the Corps of Engineers website at https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/PublicNotices/.

Public comments on the proposed work by Pine Island Real Estate, LLC, (file # NAE-2005-00499) should be forwarded no later than May 14, 2020 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Christina Comeau), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Christina Comeau at 978-318-8705 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: christina.m.comeau@usace.army.mil.