All Interested Parties: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, (USACE) has prepared a Feasibility Report and an Integrated Environmental Assessment (EA) for improvements to navigation in St. Jerome Creek for the County Commissioners of St. Mary's County, Maryland. This project is being conducted under the Continuing Authorities Program, Section 107 of River and Harbor Act of 1960, as amended.
Purpose of Work: This study examined the navigation-related problems affecting the local users of St. Jerome Creek to identify a solution that is economically feasible with minimal environmental impacts. Currently, shoaling reduces the controlling depth of the channel below the authorized channel depth of 7 feet (ft), typically within two years of maintenance dredging, restricting use of the waterway at low tide.
Recommended Plan: The proposed project includes construction of two batter pile/vinyl sheet pile jetties held in place by vinyl covered piles at the entrance to St. Jerome Creek. The south jetty would be approximately 1,330 ft in length and connect to the shoreline about 200 ft south of the northern tip of Deep Point. The north jetty would be approximately 1,770 ft in length and connect about 250 ft east of the tip of the sand spit of St. Jerome Point. The existing entrance channel would be realigned to pass straight through the inlet. A federally-maintained spur would remain to the west after the reconfigured channel passes Deep Point, continuing to the existing Southern Prong channel. The channel section realignment is proposed to make the channel more hydraulically efficient; thereby reducing the potential for shoaling.
Any person who has an interest in the project may make comments and/or request a public hearing within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. Comments must clearly set forth the interest that may be adversely affected by this proposed action and the manner in which the interest may be adversely affected. Written comments received on or before this date will become part of the written record and will be considered in the determination of impacts to the environment. A Finding of No Significant Impact will be signed upon review of comments received and resolution of objections, if any.
A hard copy of the draft Feasibility Report and EA is available at all St. Mary's County Library branches: Lexington Park, Leonardtown, and Charlotte Hall (http://www.stmalib.org/about-us/library-hours). If additional information is needed about the EA or the draft Finding of No Significant Impact, you may write to U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division (Attn: Angie Sowers), P. 0. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203.
This public notice is being distributed to organizations and individuals known to have an interest in this project. Comments must be submitted within 30 days of the date of this notice. For further information or to request a copy of the draft feasibility report and integrated EA, please contact Ms. Angie Sowers at 410-962-7440 or by e-mail at angela.sowers@usace.army.mil.
Signed:
Dan Bierly, Chief, Project Development Branch, Planning Division