Section 408 Public Notice Virginia Natural Gas Canal Number 2
Interested parties are hereby notified that a request for permission to alter a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project pursuant to Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33U.S.C. Section 408) has been received and will be evaluated by the Norfolk District. Written comments, including any objections to the proposed alteration, stating reasons therefore, are being solicited from anyone having an interest in the requested alteration. The authority to grant permission for temporary or permanent use, occupation or alteration of any USACE Civil Works project is contained in Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, as amended, codified at 33 USC 408 (“Section 408”). Section 408 authorizes the Secretary of the Army to grant permission for the alteration or occupation or use of a USACE project if the Secretary determines that the activity will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the project. The proposed action is also subject to the requirements and objectives of Executive Order (EO)11988, Floodplain Management and has the potential to impact floodplains. This notice complies with Section 2(a)(4) of EO 11988 and requests advance public comment to determine if there are any public concerns regarding potential impacts on floodplains.
Actions that encroach upon a USACE federal project require a Section 408 review to determine no negative impacts will occur as a result of project implementation. Virginia Natural Gas is requesting Section 408 permission to install approximately 705 linear feet of new 8-inch steel natural gas line by horizontal directional drill (HDD) to provide/maintain a natural gas line serving residents of Virginia Beach, Virginia, replacing the existing natural gas line that currently crosses Canal Number 2 via International Parkway bridge. Top of line at mid-channel is proposed for a minimum of -20 feet vertical clearance from the current canal bottom. The proposed entry point will be west of the canal extending from the corner of Seahawk Circle and International Parkway to 100 feet outside the western bank of Canal 2. The exit point will be east of the canal, and runs to the east of the canal along the International Parkway until this road meets Central Drive. There are no impacts to jurisdictional waters of the US, or other waters proposed. The purpose of the project is to provide uninterrupted natural gas service for the public.
Virginia Beach Streams Canal Number 2 (federal project), which is operated and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District (USACE/Corps), will be altered by the proposed activity/activities via the HDD of the 8” steel conduit natural gas line underneath the canal. The proposed project plans are enclosed.
Written comments may be submitted via mail to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District
803 Front Street
Norfolk, VA 23510-1096
ATTN: Sara Bahnson
Or email to Sara.E.Bahnson@usace.army.mil
If you have any questions, please contact Sara Bahnson by telephone at 757-201-7693 or via email at Sara.E.Bahnson@usace.army.mil
Comments are due by: July 23, 2024