CONCORD, Mass. – The North Cove Yacht Club is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct work in waters of the United States in conjunction with replacing the existing bulkhead and reconfiguring and expanding its marina in Old Saybrook, Conn.

The purpose of the proposed project is to repair a structurally deficient bulkhead and improve and expand the North Cove Yacht Club for members’ safe access to North Cove, the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.

Bulkhead replacement will involve the east-facing segment of the bulkhead at the site which is failing. A 118-foot linear foot bulkhead will be installed immediately waterward of the existing bulkhead. The bulkhead will consist of a wood piling and wood sheathing system and will be anchored with deadman tiebacks. The work is proposed in North Cove at 111 Sheffield Street in Old Saybrook.

The marina float expansion includes reconfiguration of the floating dock system entailing abandonment of the existing floating dock configuration, installation of ramps, floating docks and pilings as detailed in the public notice available for review online.

The proposed project will impact approximately 2,100 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat for various species and life stages. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect these species. 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 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 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-2005-3112) should be forwarded no later than July 14, 2011 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Michael Riccio), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Michael Riccio at 978-318-8685 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: michael.s.riccio@usace.army.mil.