Americas Styrenics LLC is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, to conduct work in waters of the U.S. in conjunction with proposed dredging in the Thames River in Gales Ferry, Connecticut.
The proposed work involves maintenance dredging of two distinct areas adjacent to the federal navigation channel in the Thames River at Allyn’s Point in Gales Ferry. One area is an approximately 100,000-square- foot berthing area with dredge depths to -23 feet mean low water and the other area is an approximately 224,000-square-foot turning area with dredge depths to -25 feet mean low water.
A total of approximately 100,000 cubic yards of material will be dredged mechanically and disposed of at the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site.
The purpose of the proposed dredging is to remove sediment that has accumulated in the ship berthing area along an existing pier and within the turning basin used for egress by vessels leaving the pier.
The dredging portion of the project will impact approximately 324,000 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages.
Habitat at this site can be described as silt, sand and gravel. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect these species. However, the Corps has made a preliminary determination that the site-specific adverse effect will not be substantial.
Further consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding EFH conservation recommendations is being conducted and will be concluded prior to the final permit decision.
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