The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District has received separate permit applications to conduct work in waters of the U.S. from a number of private owners along the Manchester Inner Harbor as well as permit applications by two marinas and the Town to dredge and retain some structures in Manchester, Mass.
The work, including dredging, is proposed in the Manchester Inner Harbor at the 4 Ashland Avenue, 18 Bridge Street and 22 Bridge Street, all in Manchester. The dredged material will be disposed of in the ocean at the Massachusetts Bay Disposal Site (MBDS), located 12 nautical miles southeast of Gales Point.
The work at the McFadden property (4 Ashland Avenue) involves the retention of an unauthorized existing seasonal residential floating dock totaling approximately 672 square feet, now resting partially on intertidal habitat on timber skids and the new and maintenance dredging of approximately 1,460 square feet of intertidal habitat and 3,851 square feet of subtidal habitat to a depth of – 5 feet mean low water for vessel access to the dock.
The work at the Hahn-Crosby site (18 Bridge Street – 22 Bridge Street) similarly involves the retention of an unauthorized seasonal residential floating dock totaling approximately 432 square feet, now resting partially on intertidal habitat and the new and maintenance dredging of approximately 1,256 square feet of intertidal habitat and 983 square feet of subtidal habitat for vessel access to the dock.
Dredging of these projects will impact approximately 7,550 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages.
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.