PN 13-09: Watershed Resources Registry Information Session

Published Feb. 15, 2013
Expiration date: 3/15/2013

THE PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE IS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF AN IMPORTANT NEW TOOL AVAILABLE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES, THE WATERSHED RESOURCES REGISTRY (WRR), AND TO ANNOUNCE THE DATE/TIME OF PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION FOR THE WRR, SPONSORED BY THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, BALTIMORE DISTRICT, AND OTHER WRR PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS. THE PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION WILL BE HELD:

Thursday, March 14, 2013
9:30 am to 12:30 noon
Maryland Department of the Environment - Auditorium
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21230

To ensure sufficient space, we request that attendees register for the WRR session in advance at the WRR website: http://www.watershedresourcesregistry.com. For those planning to attend the public session, we recommend you park in the MDE Blue Parking Lot on Washington Boulevard. For more about the public information session, please contact Ellen Bryson at ellen.bryson@usace.army.mil or (410) 962-6084.

As background, the WRR was created in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region III; Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE); Maryland Department of Planning (MDP); State Highway Administration (SHA); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS); Maryland Environmental Services (MES); Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The WRR incorporates eight GIS-based analyses that map and score areas based on various environmental resources. This information will help applicants identify areas that may benefit from mitigation, restoration and environmental enhancement. Of particular interest to the Corps regulatory environment and the public are the analyses that map high value wetland and riparian areas.

The WRR is being utilized as an initial screening tool by Regulatory project managers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, as they review permit applications. Use of the WRR by permit applicants is invited and recommended; however, using the WRR is not required as part of a complete permit application. The WRR provides valuable guidance for both the applicant and the permit reviewer to better understand potential impacts of proposals. A particular goal of creating this tool is to ensure that the regulatory process is open and transparent to the regulated public.

Used early in the design phase of project development, the WRR can provide valuable background information on existing site conditions and important resources. This information can allow applicants to consider alternative sites and designs prior to investing considerable time and money into a particular site or proposal.