THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC NOTICE IS TO SOLICIT COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE WORK DESCRIBED BELOW. AT THIS TIME, NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED.
The Baltimore District has received an application for a Department of the Army permit pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), as described below:
APPLICANT:
Mr. Steve Richards, Chief of Natural & Cultural Resources
Joint Base Andrews
3466 North Carolina Street
Andrews AFB, Maryland 20762
LOCATION: In nontidal wetlands adjacent to the Piscataway Creek at Taxiway Sierra on Joint Base Andrews, Prince George’s County, Maryland.
WORK: To remove the existing deteriorated taxiway and to construct a replacement taxiway with enhanced shoulders permanently impacting approximately 10,369.77 square feet (0.24 acres) and temporarily impacting approximately 15,370.80 square feet (0.35 acres) of emergent nontidal wetlands for grading and to improve drainage. All work is to be completed in accordance with the proposed plan(s). If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Erica Schmidt at (410) 962-6029 or Erica.Schmidt@usace.army.mil.
Site layout for this project was based upon the existing alignment of the taxiway. The applicant is required to upgrade the taxiway to comply with the current Air Force criteria for modified heavy load aircraft and designed for Type A traffic.
As part of the planning process for the proposed project, steps were taken to ensure avoidance and minimization of impacts to wetland resources to the maximum extent practicable. However, due to specific safety, operational, and engineering requirements, it was determined that the proposed project would result in unavoidable impacts to wetland resources. The applicant proposes to mitigate for the permanent impacts by creating approximately 0.36 acres of emergent nontidal wetlands adjacent to Zekiah Swamp Run on the Hancock Property in LaPlata, Charles County, Maryland.
The purpose of the project is to provide increased safety by meeting the current modified heavy load requirement for the taxiway.