CONCORD, Mass. – The Maine Department of Transportation 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 the replacement of the Route 155 Bridge between Howland and Enfield, Maine.
The Maine Department of Transportation proposes to place fill below and perform other work beyond the ordinary high water line of the Penobscot River in Howland and Enfield in order to facilitate the replacement of the existing deteriorated Route 155 Bridge. The proposed project will result in approximately 7,000 square feet of river bed impact (abutments and shore stabilization); 3,835 square feet of river bed impact (piers); and 3,000 square feet of temporary river bed impact (temporary access).
This work is designed to replace critical transportation infrastructure, ensure public safety, and protect the economic vitality of Maine’s transportation network.
The Corps is soliciting comments from the public; federal, state and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other interested groups in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this proposal.
The application for the federal permit was filed with the Corps in compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge or fill of material in U.S. waters, including wetlands.
The public notice, with additional information, 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 referencing this permit request by the Maine Department of Transportation (File # NAE-2014-02360) should be forwarded no later than Jan. 3, 2015 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Maine Project Office (ATTN: Jay Clement), 675 Western Ave., #3, Manchester, Maine 04351. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Jay Clement at 207-623-8367 or by email to jay.l.clement@usace.army.mil.