May 13, 2024
CENAO-WRR-EVRS
NAO-2023-02418
FEDERAL PUBLIC NOTICE
The District Commander received a joint application for Federal and State permits as described below:
APPLICANT
Jay Bernas
Hampton Roads Sanitation District 1434 Air Rail Avenue
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455
WATERWAY AND LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED WORK:
The project is located in the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal (Intracoastal Waterway), at Wilson Road and Reservation Road, in Chesapeake, Virginia. A vicinity map is attached.
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE: 36.721514, -76.242535
PROPOSED PROJECT:
The applicant proposes to replace the existing 20-inch diameter cast iron force main located within the Albemarle Chesapeake Canal. The existing pipe was installed in 1968 and is approximately 200 feet long between the air vent on the north side and the valve on the south side of the canal. The force main was struck and damaged on March 10, 2023, and removed from service. In addition, while removing the section of damaged sewer force main, the applicant proposes to remove the abandoned 20-inch city water main located adjacent to the sewer main and crossing the Canal. The damaged force main and abandoned water main are in an easement set to expire and are no longer serviceable. The removal of both mains from the easement and federal property will require the open cutting of the Canal and within land-side areas within federal property to the north and south of the canal. A new easement agreement will be acquired in the replacement location. To meet the depth requirements through the Canal (minimum depth of 30 feet below the dredged depth of the Canal), the force main will be installed utilizing HDD technology. The HDD portion will consist of approximately 825 feet of 24-inch DR 11 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) force main. The land portion will be constructed of 1,150 feet of 20-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) force main using open cut installation. The northern portion of the force main will tie-in to the existing force main within Battlefield Boulevard. The southern portion of the force main will tie-in to the existing force main within Wilson Drive. The total acreage of impacts to wetlands and waters of the U.S. resulting from permanent and temporary impacts is 0.327 acre.
PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED:
The purpose of the project is to replace the sewer force main providing system continuity and to eliminate the need to pump and haul from the City of Chesapeake Pump Station, and to remove the abandoned water main from the expiring easement.
AUTHORITY:
Permits for the work in waters, including wetlands, are required pursuant to Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (Public Law 95-217). AND/OR 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 NHPA and 33 CFR Part 325, Appendix C, Processing of Department of the Army Permits.
PURPOSE OF PUBLIC NOTICE:
In compliance with regulations implementing Section 106 of the NHPA, the Corps 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. The Corps is requesting comments 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 Corps identified historic properties within the Corps permit area. These properties include the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal (DHR ID #131‐0044), which is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal Historic District (DHR ID #131-5333), which is listed in the NRHP and Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR); the Great Bridge Battle Site (DHR ID #131-0023), which is listed in the NRHP and VLR; and the two archaeological components of the Great Bridge Battle Site (DHR ID #44CS0023 and 44CS0022), which are listed in the VLR.
ADVERSE EFFECT DETERMINATION:
In consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, and in consideration of views concerning effects provided by consulting parties, including Tribes, the Corps applied the criteria of adverse effect to historic properties within the permit area. The Corps determined that the proposed federal action would result in an adverse effect to the NRHP-listed Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal Historic District (DHR ID #131-5333), contributing resource Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal (DHR ID #131-5333-0002), and the Great Bridge Battle Site (DHR ID #131-0023), including the two archaeological components of the Great Bridge Battle Site (DHR ID #44CS0023 and 44CS0022). The Corps is consulting further to develop and evaluate alternatives or modifications to the undertaking that could avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties. The Corps, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the permittee, and other consulting parties are proposing to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under Section 106 of the NHPA.
COMMENT PERIOD:
Comments on this project should be in writing and can be sent by either email to katherine.t.hollingsworth@usace.army.mil, or by regular mail, addressed to the Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers (ATTN: CENAO-WRR; Taylor Hollingsworth), 803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1011, and should be received by the close of business on June 14, 2024.
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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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 Taylor Hollingsworth at 757-201-7044 or by email katherine.t.hollingsworth@usace.army.mil.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Project Drawings