The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has issued a public notice in connection with the city of St. Petersburg’s application for a Department of the Army permit to demolish the existing St. Petersburg Municipal Pier and construct a new pier in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Fla.
The applicant is seeking authorization to demolish the existing 230,000-square-foot St. Petersburg Municipal Pier and construct a new 121,700-square-foot pier. The old pier deck would be transported to an upland landfill or to the Albert Whitted Airport to construct a shoreline stabilization revetment.
The applicant states that the new pier footprint and design features will result in a net environmental benefit. The number of piles required to support the proposed new pier would be reduced by 825 from the existing pier, and the proposed new structure would reduce shading impacts by approximately 47 percent. Turbidity barriers would be deployed during demolition and construction, and construction barges would be prohibited from working or anchoring within 20 feet of the seagrass beds. Best management practices and a detailed stormwater management plan would be used during construction to minimize impacts to water quality.
Comments regarding the potential authorization of the proposed work should be submitted in writing by Friday, May 3, 2013.
The decision whether to issue or deny this permit will be based on the evaluation of the probable impact to the associated wetlands and on the information received through this public notice. The Corps’ decision is pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which authorized the Corps to regulate dredge and fill activities in waters of the United States, including some wetlands and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, which authorized the Corps to protect and maintain the nation’s navigable waterways.
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Press Release, April 22, 2013