PN-24-04 NAB-2023-61059-P13 (Arundel Rivers Federation/Long Point Living Shoreline Stabilization Project)

                       Public Notice
U.S. Army Corps                In Reply to Application Number
of Engineers                        NAB-2023-61059-P13 (Arundel Rivers Federation/Long Point Living Shoreline Stabilization Project)
Baltimore District
PN-24-04                              Comment Period: February 5, 2024 to March 6, 2024

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC NOTICE IS TO INFORM INTERESTED PARTIES OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY AND TO SOLICIT COMMENTS. NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED AT THIS TIME.

This District has received an application for a Department of the Army permit pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (33 USC 403) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1344),as described below:

APPLICANT:

Arundel Rivers Federation
c/o Ms. Jennifer Carr
P.O. Box 760
Edgewater, Maryland 21037

WATERWAY AND LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED WORK:

The proposed project is located in the South River, adjacent to the South River Farm Park, along the Long Point Peninsula, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. (Latitude 38.912715N; Longitude: -76.507328 W).

OVERALL PROJECT PURPOSE:

To stabilize the eroding Long Point Peninsula and reduce pollutant loads entering the South River and subsequently the Chesapeake Bay.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The applicant proposes to stabilize approximately 1,600 linear feet of shoreline utilizing low profile stone sills, reef balls, and habitat sills. This project will provide coastal resiliency to the communities the peninsula shelters from offshore wave energy as well as to provide elements of ecological uplift through habitat creation. The applicant proposes to perform the following activities: Construct seven (7) 82-foot-long habitat sill structures, a maximum of 0.5 feet above mean high water, all extending a maximum of 47 feet channelward of the mean high water line at an existing marsh; construct one (1) 225-foot long low-profile stone sill structure, a maximum of 0.5 feet above mean high water, extending a maximum of 117 feet channelward of the mean high water line at an existing marsh;  construct one (1) 215-foot long low-profile stone sill structure, a maximum of 0.5 feet above mean high water, extending a maximum of 117 feet channelward of the mean high water line at an existing marsh; construct one (1) 285-foot long curvilinear, low-profile stone sill structure, a maximum of 0.5 feet above mean high water, extending a maximum of 63 feet channelward of the mean high water line at an existing marsh; construct five (5) low-profile reef-ball structures, totaling 675 linear feet, all extending a maximum of 245 feet channelward of the mean high water line at an existing marsh; and place two (2) salvaged trees as woody debris structures in varying lengths and submerge them no farther than a maximum of 60 feet channelward of the mean high water line at an existing marsh. 

EFFECTS ON AQUATIC RESOURCES:

The proposed work would directly impact approximately 20,781 sq.ft. (0.48 acres) of existing shallow open water (South River). No permanent loss of waters or wetlands is proposed. No impact to submerged aquatic vegetation is proposed.

The work is proposed in accordance with the enclosed plans.

LEAD FEDERAL AGENCY:

The United States Army Corps of Engineers, as the lead federal agency, is responsible for all coordination pursuant to applicable federal authorities.

APPLICANT’S PROPOSED AVOIDANCE, MINIMIZATION, AND COMPENSATORY MITIGATION:

Steps were taken to ensure avoidance and minimization of impacts to waters of the United States to the maximum extent possible. By not including sand fill to create a marsh terrace, the project has less likelihood of being overrun by the invasive species Phragmites (Phragmites australis). In addition, the stone and habitat sill protection is being placed offshore of the shoreline to allow for continued interaction of the existing marsh and water. Impacts were minimized by reducing the structure footprint, by incorporating reef balls where possible, and by keeping the structures in shallow water.

All structures were placed outside of the limits of any submerged aquatic vegetation and/or any tidal wetlands.

Compensatory mitigation is not being proposed by the applicant for impacts to the approximate 0.48 acres of shallow open water since this is a coastal resiliency project intended to stabilize the eroding peninsula and reduce the pollutant loads that are entering the South River. 

CORPS EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS:

This project will be evaluated pursuant to Corps Regulatory Program Regulations (33 CFR Parts 320-332). The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which reasonable 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, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economic, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, cultural values, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, and consideration of property ownership and in general, the needs and welfare of the people. The evaluation of the impact of this project will also include application of the Clean Water Act Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency.

ENDANGERED SPECIES:

A preliminary review of this application indicates that the proposed work will have no effect federally listed threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended. As the evaluation of this application continues, additional information may become available which could modify this preliminary determination.

ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT:

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA), as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 (Public Law 04-267), requires all federal agencies to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service on all actions, or proposed actions, permitted, funded, or undertaken by the agency that may adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), including species of concern, life cycle habitat, or Habitat Areas of Particular Concern. The project site lies in or adjacent to EFH as described under MSFCMA for managed species under the MSFCMA. The Baltimore District has made a preliminary determination that the project will have no adverse effect on EFH. The Baltimore District has made a preliminary determination that mitigative measures are not required to minimize adverse effects on EFH at this time. This determination may be modified if additional information indicates otherwise.

HISTORIC RESOURCES:

Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and applicable guidance, the Corps has reviewed the latest published version of the National Register of Historic Places and initially determined that no registered properties listed as eligible for inclusion, therein, are located at the site of the proposed work. The Corps has made the preliminary determination that the proposed project would have no effect on historic properties. The Corps final eligibility and effect determination will be based on coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office as appropriate and required, and with full consideration given to the proposed undertaking’s potential direct and indirect effects on historic properties within the Corps’ identified permit area.

TRIBAL RESOURCES:

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act also requires federal agencies to consult with federally recognized American Indian tribes that attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties that may be affected by the agency’s undertaking. Corps Tribal Consultation Policy mandates an open, timely, meaningful, collaborative, and effective deliberative communication process that emphasizes trust, respect, and shared responsibility. The policy further emphasizes that, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, consultation works toward mutual consensus and begins at the earliest planning stages before decisions are made and actions taken. The Corps final eligibility and effect determination will be based on coordination with interested tribes, in accordance with the Corps current tribal standard operating procedures as appropriate and required, and with full consideration given to the proposed undertaking’s potential direct and indirect effects on tribal resources.

MODIFICATION OF CIVIL WORKS PROJECTS: 33 USC 408 (SECTION 408):

All Section 408 proposals will be coordinated internally at the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Section 408 decision will be issued along with the Section 404 and/or Section 10 decision. Please see the following link for more information regarding Section 408: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Section-408-Requests/.

WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION:

The applicant is required to obtain a water quality certification in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS:

Where applicable, the applicant has certified in this application that the proposed activity complies with and will be conducted in a manner consistent with the approved Coastal Zone Management Program. By this public notice, we are requesting the State concurrence or objection to the applicant’s consistency statement.

The applicant must obtain any state or local government permits which may be required.

SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS:

The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; federal, state, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments provided will become part of the public record for this action and are subject to release to the public through the Freedom of Information Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

Written comments concerning the work described above related to the factors listed above or other pertinent factors must be received by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District within the comment period specified above through postal mail at the address below or electronic submission to the project manager email address below. Written comments should reference the Application Number NAB-2023-61059-P13.

PUBLIC HEARING REQUESTS:

Any person who has an interest which may be adversely affected by the issuance of this permit may request a public hearing. The request, which must be in writing, must be received within the comment period as specified above to receive consideration. Also, it must clearly set forth the interest which may be adversely affected by this activity and the manner in which the interest may be adversely affected. The public hearing request may be submitted by electronic mail or mailed to the following address:

Ms. Amy Elliott
amy.h.elliott@usace.army.mil
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
Regulatory Branch
1631 South Atherton Street, Suite 101
State College, Pennsylvania 16801

It is requested that you communicate this information concerning the proposed work to any persons known by you to be interested, who did not receive a copy of this notice.

General information regarding the Corps’ permitting process can be found on our website at https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory.aspx. This public notice has been prepared in accordance with Corps implementing regulations at 33 CFR 325.3. If you have any questions concerning this specific project or would like to request a paper copy of this public notice, please contact Ms. Amy Elliott at 814-235-0573, or at amy.h.elliott@usace.army.mil with NAB-2023-61059-P13 in the subject line. This public notice is issued by the Chief, Regulatory Branch.