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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 20-458

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Federal Consistency under the Coastal Zone Management Act; Philadelphia Navy Yard Dredging Project

[50 Pa.B. 1907]
[Saturday, March 28, 2020]

 This notice is published under section 306(d)(14) of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) (16 U.S.C.A. § 1455(d)(14)), regarding public participation during consistency determinations. The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Coastal Resources Management Program has received notice that the United States Navy (applicant) is proposing to conduct maintenance dredging in the Delaware River in the vicinity of Pier 4 of the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County.

 The applicant is proposing to remove approximately 150,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment to previously-dredged depths within 10 acres on the west side of Pier 4 for the purpose of maintaining safe navigation and berthing of vessels. Area A (directly adjacent to Pier 4) is proposed to be dredged to a depth of -37 feet mean lower low water (MLLW), plus 2 feet of allowable overdredge. Area B, to the west of Area A, is proposed to be dredged to a depth of -28 feet MLLW, plus 2 feet of allowable overdredge. Reasonably foreseeable effects from this project are proposed to be limited to localized short-term temporary disturbance from in-water construction activity to remove the accumulated sediment as well as disturbance to the bottom. Water column turbidity is proposed to be managed by operational controls during dredging. The effects on this Commonwealth's coastal resources are proposed to be short-term and limited to the duration of the project construction period (approximately 4—6 weeks). Dredging operations would begin at a time to be determined after September 20, 2020. No dredging activities are proposed to take place during the time-of-year restriction of March 15 through June 30 for the Delaware River. Dredged materials are proposed to be placed at one of four possible locations: Fort Mifflin Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Whites Rehandling Basin and CDF, Biles Island CDF or Port Tobacco at Weanak (also known as Shirley Plantation). Final site selection would be determined based upon the results of material testing and a dredging and disposal feasibility study that are currently underway.

 This project is subject to Department review for Federal consistency because it is a Federal agency activity and would have reasonably foreseeable effects on this Commonwealth's coastal resources or uses.

 In accordance with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulations in 15 CFR Part 930, Subpart C (relating to consistency for Federal agency activities), the United States Navy has determined that the proposed activity would be conducted in a manner consistent with the applicable enforceable policies of the Commonwealth's NOAA-approved Coastal Resources Management Program. Interested parties may request a copy of the Federal Consistency Determination from the Department contact listed as follows.

 Questions regarding this review should be directed to Matthew Walderon, Federal Consistency Coordinator, RA-Fed_Consistency@pa.gov or (717) 772-2196.

 The Department will consider all comments received on or before Monday, April 13, 2020, before issuing a final Federal consistency concurrence or objection. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail, must include the originator's name and address. Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment tool at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment or by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov. Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, 400 Market Street, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

PATRICK McDONNELL, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 20-458. Filed for public inspection March 27, 2020, 9:00 a.m.]


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