GREAT RIVER PARK IMPROVEMENTS NOTICE OF U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PERMIT APPLICATION & COMMENT PERIOD
East Hartford, CT — Please be advised that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District (USACE) is evaluating plans under 33 U.S.C. 408 (Section 408) to allow the Town of East Hartford, CT to repair and improve recreational facilities within Great River Park. Riverfront Recapture, our partner on operations and improvements at Great River Park, is spearheading the effort and working in collaboration with the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) on this project.
The park lies entirely within the levee right-of-way for the East Hartford Flood Protection System (FPS) and the alterations are occurring within property that was acquired for the FPS. The existing overlook pier, fishing pier, and floating dock will be removed, regraded, and new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant structures will be installed. Removal of the existing overlooks and associated man-made surfaces will be restored to a vegetated condition.
Approximately 1,300 square feet of freshwater Connecticut Tidal Wetlands and approximately 4,770 square feet of Connecticut Inland Wetlands will be affected. This action also will remove approximately five (5) cubic yards of material from within the Connecticut River floodway, which does not affect the available flood storage capacity of the floodway at the site.
This Notice is being issued pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 408, USACE Engineering Circular (EC) 1165-2-220, Executive Order 11988 – Floodplain Management, and Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500-1508) for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.) and the USACE Procedures for Implementing NEPA (33 CFR 230). Section 408 allows USACE to grant permission for the alteration, occupation, or use of a USACE civil works project if it is determined that the activity will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the Federal project. A decision on a Section 408 request is a Federal action, and therefore subject to NEPA and other environmental compliance requirements.
The proposed project will be conducted within the locations of existing man-made features, including the site of the East Hartford flood control system, seasonal access floats at the existing boat ramp, and two overlooks. As a result, the impacts of the project on the existing landscape and habitats will be minimal. USACE has determined that the action falls within a categorical exclusion under 33 CFR 230.9 and, therefore, is categorically excluded from further NEPA review; an Environmental Assessment is not required for this action.
The public is invited to provide comment. To request more information, contact: Kevin DiRocco, New England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742, Kevin.J.DiRocco@usace.army.mil. The comment period will end on September 13, 2023. Letters should be postmarked by this date.