NAO-2021-00288

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District
Published Aug. 27, 2021
Expiration date: 9/27/2021

FEDERAL PUBLIC NOTICE
The District Commander received a joint application for Federal and State permits as described below:

APPLICANT
Mr. Luke Pugh
The City of Roanoke
215 Church Street SW, Room 350
Roanoke, Virginia 24011 

WATERWAY AND LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED WORK:  The project is located in the Roanoke River, at the existing Wasena Bridge, in Roanoke, Virginia.  A vicinity map is attached.

PROPOSED PROJECT:  The applicant proposes to replace the existing Wasena Bridge with a new bridge.  The applicant states that the existing Wasena Bridge has been determined to be a high fracture risk structure.  A roundabout on the Old Southwest side of the bridge is proposed as part of this project to help alleviate traffic congestion and control speed on the bridge.  The proposed bridge replacement work would require a temporary work bridge to be placed across the Roanoke River (the undertaking).  Approximately five cubic yards of fill would be placed 8-10 feet channelward from each bank for stabilization of the temporary structure.  The 577 square foot area of impact to waters of the U.S. also include  timber supports that will be used to support a temporary work bridgeThe timber supports will be removed in 9-12 months after the needed bridge work is complete. A copy of joint permit application can be found on the Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s website:
https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/habitat/getPDF.php?id=20210205

PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED:  The applicant states that the proposed discharge of fill material into the Roanoke River is required to stabilize the temporary work bridge to facilitate the work associated with the replacement of the Wasena Bridge.  

AUTHORITY: Permits for the work in waters and wetlands are required pursuant to Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (Public Law 95-217) and permits are required pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403).  The Corps must comply with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. § 306108), 36 CFR Part 800, regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and 33 CFR Part 325, Appendix C, Processing of Department of the Army Permits. 

In addition to the required Department of the Army permit, the applicant may need to obtain a Virginia Water Protection Permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) assuring that applicable laws and regulations pertaining to water quality are not violated.  Project drawings are attached.


PURPOSE OF PUBLIC NOTICE:  In compliance with regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Norfolk District is soliciting comments on the proposed project from the public; Federal, state, and local agencies and officials; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties.  This public notice provides an opportunity for members of the public to express their views on the undertaking’s effects on historic properties and resolution of adverse effects.  Comments are requested to assist in evaluation of the effects of the project on historic properties and evaluation of alternatives or modifications which could avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties.

HISTORIC PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION:   The Norfolk District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps),, identified historic properties within the USACE permit area.  The permit area is the limits of disturbance directly affected by the bridge replacement (the bridge itself, the approaches on both the north and south side and the construction staging areas) as well as a 50 foot buffer around the immediate limits of disturbance.  The Wasena Bridge is contributing to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-listed Wasena Historic District (DHR-128-6269) and portions of the Old Southwest Historic District (DHR-128-0049).   

ADVERSE EFFECT DETERMINATION:   In consultation with the VDHR, we have determined that the undertaking (Removal of the Wasena Bridge and issuance of Corps verification) will adversely affect to the Wasena Bridge and the Wasena and Old Southwest Historic Districts.  Further consultation will be required to seek ways to mitigate the adverse effects.  Individuals and organizations with an interest in the project are invited to participate in this consultation. The US Army Corps of Engineers (Norfolk District), Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the permittee and any identified consulting parties are proposing to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
 

Preliminary review indicates that: (l) no environmental impact statement will be required; (2) Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is complete under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (PL 93-205), and (3) the project will result in an adverse effect as noted above.   Additional information might change any of these findings.  


COMMENT PERIOD:  Comments on this project should be in writing and can be sent by either email to vincent.d.pero@usace.army.mil or by regular mail, addressed to the Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers (ATTN:  CENAO-WRR), 920 Gardens Boulevard, Suite 103-B, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 and should be received by the close of business on September 27, 2021.  

PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY:  Comments and information, including the identity of the submitter, submitted in response to this Public Notice may be disclosed, reproduced, and distributed at the discretion of the USACE.  Information that is submitted in connection with this Public Notice cannot be maintained as confidential by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Submissions should not include any information that the submitter seeks to preserve as confidential. 

If you have any questions about this project or the permit process, contact
Vincent Pero – 757-297-0011 or email Vincent.d.pero@usace.army.mil 

Vicinity Map
Project Drawings