CONCORD, Mass. – Peppermint Ridge LLC 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 upgrading an existing marina facility in Waterford, Conn.

The purpose of the project is to upgrade the existing 17-slip floating dock facility at the Peppermint Ridge Marina in Waterford. The new pile-supported structures are expected to better accommodate the Niantic River currents, which have caused damage in the past.

The applicant proposes to maintain the 17-slip configuration while accommodating the berthing of larger vessels – including two dedicated slips for transient boaters. The work is proposed in the Niantic River at 1 First Street in Waterford. New structures will extend up to 75 feet beyond mean high water and the closest pile is expected to be 45 feet away from the 8-foot federal channel.

The proposed marina expansion is expected to impact an additional 22,000 square feet (0.5 acre) of  Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. The subtidal substrate primarily consists of gravelly sand with stones, and no submerged aquatic vegetation beds are present. The Corps has made a preliminary determination that the site-specific adverse effects on EFH 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 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, 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 the proposed work by Peppermint Ridge LLC (file # NAE-2014-178) should be forwarded no later than March 25, 2014 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: Michael Narcisi), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751.

Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Michael Narcisi at 978-318-8454 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: michael.j.narcisi@usace.army.mil.