CONCORD, Mass. – Stonebridge Marina LLC is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District to conduct work in waters of the U. S. in conjunction with establishing a reconfiguration zone at its marina in the East River in Wareham, Mass.

The purpose of the project is the reconfiguration of existing or new piers and floats within the bounds of the reconfiguration zone. The project site is located in the East River at 5 East Boulevard in Wareham. The proposed reconfiguration zone would be within the existing marina area in the area encompassed by existing piers and floats, therefore compensatory mitigation for adverse impacts to the marine ecosystem is not required. 

The proposed project will impact 0.89 acre of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. This habitat consists predominantly of subtidal sandy bottom estuary within upper Onset Bay. Impacts of the project to 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 application for the federal permit was filed by Stonebridge Marina LLC 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. The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activity on the public interest.

Public comments on this work proposed by Stonebridge Marina LLC (file # NAE 2008-1323) should be forwarded no later than Oct. 2, 2014 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN: John Sargent), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager John Sargent at 978-318-8026 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: john.c.sargent@usace.army.mil.