The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (USACE), in partnership with the Chambersburg Area Municipal Authority (CAMA), is releasing a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposed stormwater improvements project in the Borough of Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. USACE is cost-sharing the project with CAMA, the non-federal sponsor, under the authority of the South-Central Pennsylvania Environmental Improvement Program, authorized by Section 313 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992. The Draft EA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
The primary goal of the project is to remove the existing stormwater management system (SWMS) located underneath the Southgate Shopping Center parking lot and construct a new SWMS within the existing rights-of-way along South Water Street and West Washington Street. Stormwater will be conveyed to an existing outfall in Conococheague Creek. The new SWMS incorporates enhanced treatment features, including the installation of a bio-retention facility. The proposed project also includes restoration of the riparian buffer and streambank stabilization along Conococheague Creek at the location of the outfall. Approximately one-third of the Borough’s stormwater runs directly through the Southgate Shopping Center site and discharges into Conococheague Creek. To remedy this mismanagement of stormwater and incentivize the redevelopment of the current strip mall site, a complete overhaul of the stormwater management system is needed.
The proposed project is expected to generate temporary impacts during construction, including increased dust, air emissions, noise, and traffic. Minor disturbances to local wildlife and upland vegetation may also occur. Additionally, there is a potential for excess sediment to enter nearby waterways. To mitigate these effects and protect water quality, the project will incorporate appropriate best management practices—such as temporary sandbag placement, filter bags, and silt fencing while construction occurs in or near the stream channel. Based on preliminary findings outlined in the draft EA, USACE has prepared a Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The draft EA and FONSI are available for review at the following location: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/missions/civil-works/section-313-program/.
Comments may be submitted by emailing the project manager, Chris Johnson, at Christopher.A.Johnson@ usace.army.mil. Public comments will be accepted through December 03, 2025.