CONCORD, Mass. – Benjamin Chamberlin Realty, LLC, doing business as Bridge Marina, 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 expanding an existing marina in Salisbury, Mass.

Benjamin Chamberlin Realty, LLC has applied for authorization to expand its currently authorized marina and establish a reconfiguration zone. The proposed project includes work in navigable waters for the construction and maintenance of two 8-foot by 60-foot floating docks, two 8-foot by 78-foot floating docks, an 8-foot by 100-foot floating dock, an 8-foot by 120-foot floating dock, two 8-foot by 300-foot floating dock systems, two 8-foot by 530-foot floating dock systems, four 6-foot by 33-foot floating docks, and a 6-foot by 250-foot gangway.

The purpose of this proposed work is to provide additional dock space in order to meet the demand in the area. The new docks will add an additional 1,360 linear feet to what is currently authorized. The existing mooring field will be eliminated and some of the proposed docks will be installed in their place. The existing fuel dock will be moved to the outermost proposed dock. A reconfiguration zone will be established. The work is proposed in the Merrimack River at 179 Bridge Road in Salisbury.

The proposed project will impact 0.45 acre of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect some of 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 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. The public notice can be viewed on the Corps website at 

http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.

Public comments on this proposed work by Benjamin Chamberlin Realty, LLC (file # NAE-2013-00163) should be forwarded no later than Nov. 7, 2013 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Crystal Gardner), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Crystal Gardner at 978-318-8332 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: crystal.i.gardner@usace.army.mil.