Public Notice
U.S. Army Corps OPN 21-03 (Fishing Creek South Jetty Rehabilitation and
of Engineers Maintenance Dredging) Calvert County, MD
Baltimore District
OPN 21-03 Comment Period: May 18, 2021 to June 18, 2021
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC NOTICE IS TO SOLICIT COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE
WORK DESCRIBED BELOW. NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT AUTHORIZATION
WILL BE GRANTED AT THIS TIME.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore
District (Corps), is planning to perform rehabilitation construction to the southern jetty
and maintenance dredging for the Fishing Creek Federal navigation channel in
Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County, Maryland. Please be advised that implementation
of this maintenance dredging is dependent on available funds. The Corps’ notification
and review procedures for dredging in Federal navigation channels is found under
Section 313 and 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 USC 1323 and 1344) and
Corps regulations at 33 CFR Part 336.
The proposed work consists of the rehabilitation of the southern jetty at Fishing Creek to
a height of six feet mean lower low water (MLLW) using 1.5 to 3 ton capstone, which will
reduce overtopping and ensure sediment does not pass through the structure. This
maintenance effort will restore the jetty elevations 2.7 feet higher than the original
construction (NAVD88) and increase the jetty crest width to 16 feet. Rehabilitation will
be segmented into three sections with a total length of approximately 1,000 feet. A 75-
foot wide by 10-foot deep MLLW channel parallel to the southern jetty will be dredged
prior to construction to access the site and perform the rehabilitation (Map 1). Dredged
material from the access channel will be placed at an existing nearby upland placement
site (Map 2).
The proposed work also consists of dredging the Fishing Creek channel to its
authorized depth of seven feet MLLW, plus at least one foot of allowable overdepth, and
a width of 100 feet (Map 1). The Corps plans to hydraulically dredge approximately
22,000 cubic yards of material consisting of combinations of clay, mud, sand, silt, and
shell. The dredged material will be placed via pipeline to the same upland site used for
the access channel dredged material. Earthwork berm repairs, including possibly raising
of the existing berms, may be needed at the existing placement site.
The proposed jetty rehabilitation and maintenance dredging of Fishing Creek is being
reviewed for environmental impacts in accordance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). Information provided in the required Environmental Assessment and
preliminary 404(b)(1) evaluation suggests that no significant environmental impacts are
expected from this rehab and dredging project. Preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement is not warranted. Any construction at the existing placement site will be
conducted in a manner consistent with the approved Maryland Coastal Zone
Management Program. The project will comply with the Endangered Species Act and
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as
amended, and will not have any adverse effect on endangered species or essential fish
habitat for federally managed species.
The Corps will coordinate the project with the following federal, state, and local
agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
National Marine Fisheries Service; Maryland Department of the Environment; Maryland
Department of Natural Resources; Maryland Historical Trust; National Audubon Society;
and the Town of Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County, Maryland.
The decision whether to accomplish the work proposed in this public notice will be
based on an evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed work on the public
interest. The decision will reflect the national concern for the protection and utilization of
important resources. The benefit, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the
proposal, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors
which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered; for example conservation,
aesthetics, fish and wildlife values, general environmental concerns, economics, historic
values, navigation, energy needs, recreation, resiliency, safety, water quality, food
production, and public welfare. The work will not be accomplished unless it is found to
be in the public’s interest.
Any person who has an interest that may be affected by the placement of this dredged
material may request a public hearing. The request must be submitted in writing to the
District Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, 2 Hopkins Plaza,
Baltimore, Maryland 21201, within 30 days of the date of this notice and must clearly set
forth the interest that may be affected and the manner in which the interest may be
affected by this activity. The Corps will complete environmental documentation for this
project, which will be available upon request.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, will apply for Water Quality
Certification from the State of Maryland, which is required by Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act. Any comments relating to water quality concerns should also be forwarded
to the Maryland Department of the Environment, Standards and Certification,
Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 430, Baltimore,
Maryland 21230. We request that you provide this information to anyone interested in
this project. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Danielle Szimanski at
Danielle.m.Szimanski@usace.army.mil.