CONCORD, Mass. – Boston Harbor Industrial Development LLC is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District in conjunction with work in waters of the United States at an industrial park in the Reserved Channel in Boston, Mass.
The basic project purpose is to rehabilitate the Pappas Commerce Center from an industrial park to a mixed-use urban center. The work is proposed in the Reserved Channel along Pappas Way in Boston.
The permit applicant proposes rehabilitation of the Pappas Commerce Center from an industrial park to a mixed-use urban center that includes construction of a new rock revetment in front of the existing bulkhead; construction of a new outfall to mitigate storm water run-off; a pedestrian pier and an overlook platform for recreational access to the waterfront; and installation of a wind turbine seaward of the high tide line of the Reserved Channel in Boston Harbor.
The overall project purpose is to stabilize, protect and maintain the existing shoreline to provide support for Pappas Commerce Center including Pappas Way (a public way), address public safety concerns, provide public access to and activation of the waterfront, and improve the quality of storm water runoff discharging into the Reserved Channel by upgrading the existing storm water management system to comply with current standards. The proposed wind turbine would provide a visually prominent, publicly accessible source of renewable energy that activates the public space and supplements the needs of the Pappas Commerce Center, including the new lighting at the Pappas Way pier, overlook, and public walkway.
The proposed work includes the discharge of dredged or fill material for rehabilitation of the existing bulkhead.
The proposed project will impact 0.69 acre of Essential Fish Habitat for various species and life stages. This habitat consists of intertidal and sub-tidal waters of Boston Inner Harbor. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect these species; therefore, an expanded Essential Fish Habitat assessment has been provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Further consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding Essential Fish Habitat 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 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 can be viewed on the Corps website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil. Select Regulatory/Permitting and then weekly public notices.
Public comments on the Corps permit review (File # NAE-2011-1529) should be forwarded no later than Nov. 18, 2011 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Ted Lento), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Ted Lento at 978-318-8863 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: ted.lento@us.army.mil.