Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs

Department of Environmental Protection

One Winter Street, Boston,, MA 02108  617-292-5500

 

 

August 18, 2008

 

Tom Leach

Harbor Master

732 Main Street

Harwich, MA 02645

 

Re: 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION Application for BRP WW 07, Major project dredging

 

At:        The channel of Herring River, Allen Harbor, Wychmere Harbor, Saquatucket    Harbor HARWICH/NANTUCKET SOUND

 

401 WQC Transmittal No: W001321

Wetlands File No: SE32-1913

ACoE Application No: NAE-2008-14

 

Dear Mr. Leach:

 

The Department has reviewed your application for Water Quality Certification (WQC), as referenced above. In accordance with the provisions of Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act as amended (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et M.), MGL c.21, § 26-53, and 314 CMR 9.00, it has been determined there is reasonable assurance the project or activity will be conducted in a manner which will not violate applicable water quality standards (314 CMR 4.00) and other applicable requirements of state law.

 

The waters of Nantucket Sound are designated in the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards as Class SA. Such waters are intended 'as excellent habitat for fish, other aquatic life and wildlife and for primary and secondary contact recreation." Anti-degradation provisions of these Standards require that "existing uses and the level of water quality necessary to protect the existing uses shall be maintained and protected."

 

Background: The Town of Harwich has conducted maintenance dredging of the referenced channels (inner and outer) under various Waterway Permits, Water Quality Certifications, Order of Conditions and 404 Permits. Although the current process of maintenance dredging and sand management is "workable", the Town of Harwich wishes to streamline the process to be more flexible and less burdensome in administrating the work.

 

The access channel areas have been historically dredged to various depths ranging from a depth of-6.0 ft MLW in Allen Harbor, Herring River, and Wychmere Harbor to -8.0 ft MLW in Saquatucket Harbor since as early as 1926 when Allen Harbor was originally dredged and opened as a harbor.

 

Historical Dredging Permitting:

 

1. Allen Harbor (inner & outer channels)

 

Order of Conditions: Emergency Order dated 5/28/1986

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1000, dated 2/15/1996

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 10/1/2002

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1435, dated 1016/2004

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 9/7/2005, expires 11/01/2010

 

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 141, dated 1926

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 178, dated 1928

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 205, dated 1930

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 262, dated 1931

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 301, dated 1931

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 346, dated 1933

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 438, dated 1935

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 528, dated 1938

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 559, dated 1938

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1097, dated 1949

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1221, dated 1952

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1229, dated 1952

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1407, dated 1954

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1502, dated 1955

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1820, dated 1957

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 2264, dated 1961

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 2453, dated 1964

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 2563, dated 1966

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 2657, dated 1969

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 2902, dated 1978

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 3177, dated 1986

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 3283, dated 1994

 

DEM Waterways Permit No: 258, dated 1994

DEP Waterways Permit No: 348, dated 7/2211998

DEP Waterways Permit No: 10140, dated 10/19/2004, expires 10/19/2014

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, dated 4/5/1994; Amendment dated 7/10/1995

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 44076, Amendment dated 7/10/1995

 

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, 44076 & 139877

                                                                                       1st Amendment dated 03/19/1996

                                                                                       2nd Amendment dated 09/20/2001

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: W086268        4th Amendment dated 10/23/2006                                                                                                                                                                                                                 expires 9/20/2011

CZM Approval, dated 4/22/1987

ACOE Permit No: 1993-01040, dated 1993

ACOE Permit No: CENAE-CO-R-19980 1256, dated 1998

ACOE Permit No: CENAE-CO-R-199801485, dated 1998

ACQE Permit No: CENA.E-R-199902454, dated 10/16/2001

ACOE Permit No: NAE-2005-3 134, dated 10/24/2006, expires 1/20/2010

 

2. Wychmere Harbor (inner & outer channels)

 

Order of Conditions: SE 32-694, dated 1989

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1000, dated 02/15/1996

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1523, dated 03/21/2001

OOC Extension Permit: SE32-1523, dated 02/17/2004

OOC 2nd Extension Permit: SE 32-1523, dated 02/7/2007, expires 3/21/2012

 

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 2264, dated March 1961

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No:  528, dated May 1938

 

DEM Waterways Permit No: 258, dated 1994

 

DEP Waterways Permit No: 10140, dated 10/19/2004

 

Water Quality Certification, dated 06/29/19

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, dates 04/05/1994

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, 44076 &139877

                                                                                                   1st Amendment dated 03/19/1996

                                                                                                   2nd Amendment dated 09/20/2001

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: W086268                 4th Amendment dated 10/23/2006                                                                                                                                                                                                       expires 9/20/2011

ACOE Permit: NEDOD-R-25-83-162, dated 3/3/1983

ACOE Permit: CENED-OD-R-23-89-1454, dated 6/5/1989

ACOE Permit: CENED-OD-R-23-90-577, dated 5/11/1990

ACOE Permit: 1994-00065, dated 1994

ACOE Permit: CENAE-CO-R-200002573,  dated 2/23/2001

ACOE Permit: NAE-2006- 1107, dated 5/19/2006, expires 1/20/2010

 

3. Saquatucket Harbor/Andrews River (inner & outer channels)

 

Order of Conditions: SE 32-598, dated 1/21/1988

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1337, dated 7/17/1998

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1588, dated 5/1/2002

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1895, dated 715/2007, expires 7/5/2010

 

DEP Waterways Permit No: 186, dated 10/6/1989

DEP Waterways Permit No: 198, dated 5/18/1990

DEP Waterways Permit No: 262, dated 9/19/1994

DEP Waterways Permit No: 354, dated 7/22/1998 expires 7/22/2008

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 132651, dated 4/4/1990

                                                                                       1st Amendment dated 4/23/1997

                                                                                       2nd Amendment dated 3/1412002

                                                                                                   Expires 1/15/2008

 

Army Corps of Engineers: Andrews River Federal Navigation Project

ACOE Emergency Authorization NAE 2006-2710, dated 4/27/2007 expires 1/20/2010

 

4. Herring River (inner & outer channels)

 

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1935, dated May 1935

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 528, dated May 1938

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 926, dated August 1946

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1301, dated April 1953

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 1860, dated January 1958

DPW Division of Waterways Contract No: 2765, dated April 1973

 

Historical Dredged Material Beneficial Reuse Site Permits:

 

1. Grey Neck Road Beach

 

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 10/1/2002

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1435, dated 10/6/2004

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 9/7/2005, expires 11/01/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

 

DEP Waterways License No: 10140, dated 10/19/2004, expires 10/19/2014

 

ACOE Permit: CENAE-R-199902454, dated 10/16/2001

ACOE Permit: NAE-2005-3 134, dated 10/24/2006, expires 1/20/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: W086268, dated 10/23/06, expires 9/20/2011

 

2. Earle Road Beach

 

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 10/1/2002

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1435, dated 10/6/2004

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 9/7/2005, expires 11/01/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

 

DEP License No. 10140 issued 10/19/2004, expires 10/19/2014

 

ACOE Permit: CENAE-R-199902454, dated 10/16/2001

ACOE Permit: NAE-2005-3 134, dated 10/24/2006, expires 1/20/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: W086268 dated 10/23/2006, expires 9/20/2011

 

3. Patricia Lane Beach

 

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 10/1/2002

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1435, dated 10/6/2004

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 9/7/2005, expires 11/01/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

ACOE Permit: CENAE-R-199902454, dated 10/16/2001

ACOE Permit: NAE-2005-3 134, dated 10/24/2006, expires 1/20/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

 

4. Brook Road Beach

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 44076, Amendment dated 7/1011995

 

5. Wahwahtaysee Road Beach

 

0CC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 10/112002

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1435, dated 10/6/2004

OOC Extension Permit: SE 32-1435, dated 9/7/2005, expires 11/01/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

 

DEP Waterways Permit No: 10140, dated 10/19/2004, expires 10/19/2014

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, 44076 & 139877

                                                                          1st Amendment dated 3/19/1996

                                                                          2nd Amendment dated 9/20/2001

ACOE Permit No: 1994-00065, dated 7/21/1994

 

6. Wyndemere Bluffs

 

DEP Waterways Permit No: 10140, dated 10/19/2004, expires 10/19/2014

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, 44076 & 139877,

                                                                           1st Amendment dated 3/19/1996

                                                                           2nd Amendment dated 9/20/2001

ACOE Permit No: 199400065, dated 7/21/1994

ACOE Permit: NAE-2005-3 134, dated 10/24/2006, expires 1/20/2010 (from Allen Harbor)

                                                    

7. Saquatucket Bluffs

 

DEP Waterways Permit No: 10140, dated 10/19/2004, expires 10/19/2014

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, dated 41511994

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, 44076 & 139877,

1st Amendment dated 3/1911996

2nd Amendment dated 9/20/2001

8. Neel Road Beach

 

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1337, dated 7/17/1998

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1588, dated 5/1/2002, expired 5/1/2005

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, dated 4/5/1994

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 74841, 44076 & 139877,

                                                                                                1st Amendment dated 3/19/1996

9. Red River Beach

 

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1523, dated 3/21/2001

OOC Extension Permit: SE32-1 523, dated 2/17/2004

 

ACOE Permit No: CENAE-CO-R-200002573, dated 2/23/2001

 

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1523, dated 3/21/2001

OOC Extension Permit SE32-1 523, dated 2/17/2004

OOC 2  Extension Permit: SE 32-1523, dated 2/7/2007. expires 3/21/2012

 

10. Bay Road Beach (Round Cove)

 

Order of Conditions: SE 32-677, dated 1/11/1989

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1344, dated 7/29/1998

Order of Conditions: SE 32-1790, dated 9/21t2005

Amended Order of Conditions: SE 32-1790, dated 11/27/2006, expires 9/21/2008

 

DEP Waterways License No: 2030, dated 11/21/1989

DEP Waterways Permit No: 10842, dated 11/29/05

CZM Consistency Certification, dated 11/7/1989

 

Water Quality Certification, dated 6/30/1989

 

Water Quality Certification Transmittal No: W067930, dated 11/21/2005

 

ACOE Permit: NEDOD-R-25-83-162, dated 3/3/1983

ACOE Permit 23-89-628, dated 12/2811989

ACOE Permit: CENAE-CO-R- 199801622, dated 10/23/1998

ACOE Permit No: NAE 2005-3116,dated 11/29/2005

 

 

11. Other Town Beaches

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 44076, Amendment dated 7/10/1995

 

12. Near Shore Disposal East of Saquatucket Harbor Channel

 

DEP Waterways Permit No: 186, dated 10/6/1989

DEP Waterways Permit No: 198, dated 5/18/1990

DEP Waterways Permit No: 354, dated 7/22/1998

 

Water Quality Certification, Transmittal No: 132651, dated 4/4/1990

1st Amendment dated 4/2311997

2nd Amendment dated 3/14/2002

 

13. Private Property at the end of Mill Road at the entrance to Saquatucket Harbor

 

DEP Permit No: 262, dated 9/19/1994

 

14. Private Property East of Neel Road

 

DEP Permit No: 262, dated 9/19/1994

 

Proposed project: The project entails consolidating all the maintenance dredging of Herring River navigation channel, Allen Harbor navigation channel, Wychmere Harbor navigation channel, and Saquatucket Harbor navigation channel into a single Water Quality Certification. The sediment will be removed hydraulically using the Barnstable County Dredger and deposit the dredged material directly on the public and private beaches above MHW as beach nourishment material. In accordance with 314 CMR 9.07(6), "Right of public access shall be provided for beach nourishment projects on private beaches where public funds are utilized for the activities."

 

The site is located within the Priority Habits of Rare Species, Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife, and Certified Vernal Pool in accordance with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Atlas, 12th Edition. in a letter dated September 27, 2007, the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) set forth conditions that the Town of Harwich must adhere to order to avoid adverse effects on the Resource Area Habitats of State-listed wildlife species, and to avoid a prohibited "take" of state-listed species. It is anticipated that the same conditions will be set forth by the NHESP to the private beach nourishment activity.

 

A Notice of Intent will be filed with the Conservation Commission for each of the public and private beach nourishment activity.

 

Sediment dewatering: Although majority of the sediment is sandy in nature, there will be significant amount of water (i.e. sediment slurry) being placed at the beach nourishment locations as the result of hydraulic dredging. Condition No. 12 and 13 require the applicant to deploy Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to minimize turbidity.

 

 

MORE INFORMATION