NAO-2006-05453

Published Oct. 8, 2014
Expiration date: 11/21/2014

October 8, 2014
CENAO-WR-R                                                                                 
NAO-2006-05453

FEDERAL PUBLIC NOTICE

ANNOUNCING A PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Mr. Kenneth Douglas Wilkins is proposing the construction of the Wilkins Mooring and Launching Facility at 3701 South Sandpiper Road in the Sandbridge community of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Corps is soliciting comments on both the project itself and the range of issues to be addressed in the environmental documentation.

APPLICANT
Mr. Kenneth Douglas Wilkins
3700 Sandpiper Road, Unit 403
Virginia Beach, Virginia  23456

WATERWAY AND LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED WORK: The project is located in North Bay, a tributary to Back Bay, at 3701 South Sandpiper Road in the Sandbridge Section of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

PROPOSED WORK AND PURPOSE: Mr. Wilkins is proposing the removal and reconstruction of an existing pier and twelve commercial (12) mooring slips to be used by the existing eco-tourism and rental operation; the proposed construction of sixty-four (64) new members-only slips with associated piers; construction of a boat ramp; installation of a non-backfilled bulkhead; as well as maintenance and new dredging at property located at 3701South Sandpiper Road in the Sandbridge community of Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

AUTHORITY:  Permits are required pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403), Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (Public Law 95-217) and Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia for impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the United States.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: This announcement serves notice that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District will conduct a public scoping meeting on November 6, 2014 at the Red Mill Elementary School on Sandbridge Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia. At 6:00 PM, personnel from the Corps of Engineers will provide information regarding the project and the project review process. Between 6:15 PM and 8:00 PM, interested parties will be assigned to work groups in order to identify/define specific issues to be addressed in environmental documents required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Federal, state and local agencies as well as private individuals, organizations or groups are invited to attend this meeting. The record will remain open for 15 days following this meeting for the submission of written comments. This is not a public hearing. The decision on whether or not to conduct a public hearing will be made at a later date. 

This notice opens the comment period for the public to submit written comments on the project. The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public, federal, state, local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the individual and cumulative impacts of this proposed activity. Comments received will be used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above.  Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.  Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.  Anyone may request a public hearing to consider this permit application by writing to the District Engineer within 45 days of the date of this notice, stating specific reasons for holding the public hearing. The District Engineer will then decide if a hearing should be held.

COMMENT PERIOD: Replies to this notice or comments regarding the proposal should be addressed to Melissa Nash, Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers (Attn; CENAO-WR-R), 803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1096, and should reach this office not later than the close of business on November 21, 2014. Should you have any questions about the contents of this advertisement, please call Melissa Nash at telephone 757-201-7489 or e-mail melissa.a.nash@usace.army.mil