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 United States in conjunction with replacing the deteriorated Route 197 bridge in Richmond, Maine.
The Maine Department of Transportation proposes to place temporary and permanent fill material below the high tide line of the Kennebec River and in adjacent tidal and freshwater wetlands in Richmond in order to facilitate the replacement of the existing deteriorated Route 197 bridge. The project is expected to result in approximately 32,120 square feet of permanent freshwater wetland impact, 3,245 square feet of permanent tidal wetland impact, and 11,728 square feet of permanent river bottom impact.
The work is designed to replace critical transportation infrastructure, ensure public safety, and protect the economic vitality of Maine’s transportation network. The project will impact up to 0.27 acre of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. This habitat consists of tidal benthos composed of silt, sand and gravel and adjacent tidal marsh. Impacts will consist of temporary turbidity and construction related disturbance and the footprint of permanent approach work fills. 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 by the Maine Department of Transportation with the Corps of Engineers in compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge or fill of material in United States waters, including wetlands; and with Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, which provides for federal regulation of any work in, or affecting navigable waters of the United States.
The public notice, with additional information, can be viewed on the Corps website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil. Select Regulatory and then public notices or go directly to http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Regulatory/Public%20Notices/.
Public comments referencing this permit request by the Maine Department of Transportation (File # NAE-2011-01191) should be forwarded no later than Sept. 7, 2012 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, Extension 1 or by email to jay.l.clement@usace.army.mil.