CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Coast Guard Academy 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 repairing structures, dredging and disposal in New London, Conn.
The proposed work involves removal of existing failed pile and timber piers, replacement in the same location with steel and concrete piers as well as maintenance dredging at the pier locations and in the channel leading to the river, new dredging around the basin with disposal of dredged material at the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site. The work is proposed in the Connecticut River off of property located at 15 Mohegan Avenue in New London.
The dredging portion of the project will impact approximately 4 acres of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. The replacement of two piers will impact approximately 2.37 acres of EFH. Habitat at this site can be described as silt, sand and gravel. 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 EFH conservation recommendations is being conducted and will be concluded prior to the final permit decision. The removal of existing piles from approximately 2.04 acres of EFH will result in a beneficial effect.
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 United States; with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge or fill of material in U. S. waters, including wetlands; and with Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, which authorizes the Corps to regulate transportation of dredged material for ocean disposal.
The public notice, with more specifics on the proposed work, can be viewed on the Corps website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.
Public comments on this proposal by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (file # NAE-1994-340) should be forwarded no later than Aug. 15, 2013 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Diane Ray), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Diane Ray at 978-318-8831 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: diane.m.ray@usace.army.mil.