| 13-054F |
The Norfolk District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposes to issue two Regional Permits (RPs) (RP-01 and RP-02, formerly Letter of Permission (LOP)-1 and LOP-2, respectively) and reissue seven revised RPs (RP-05, RP-15, RP-17, Rp-18, RP-19, RP-20 and RP-22). All of the permits are currently in effect, but will expire on August 14, 2013 with the exception of RP-05 and RP-20. RP-05 and RP-20 are set to expire on October 5, 2016 and May 25, 2017, respectfully. The Corps intends to reissue RP-05 and RP-20 at this time to allow for all RPs to have a consistent expiration date. A brief description of each RP is as follows: RP-01-for certain Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) roadway and railway projects; RP-02-for both new and maintenance dredging (channels and basins); RP-05-the discharge of dredged or fill material into non-tidal waters of the U.S., including wetlands, for the construction of small impoundments; RP-15-the maintenance of existing drainage ditches for either mosquito control purposes or stormwater management; RP-17-the installation of open-pile piers, mooring piles, certain covered boat houses/lifts, osprey poles/ platforms, and devices associated with shellfish gardening, for private use; RP-18-the installation of open-pile piers, mooring piles, mooring dolphins, fender piles, mooring camels, covered boathouses, boatlifts, osprey pilings/platforms, and devices associated with shellfish gardening, for private, commercial, community, and government use; RP-19-construction and/or installation of living shoreline projects, low breakwaters, bulkheads, riprap, groins, jetties, spurs and/or baffles, associated beach nourishment, boat ramps, and aquaculture/mariculture activities; RP-20-creation of artificial reefs and dredging of old shellfish reefs, when the material will be used to create new or enhance reefs owned, operated or managed by the Commonwealth of Virginia; RP-22-certain activities within the Virginia portion of Lake Gaston including: construction of piers, boat docks, boat ramps and boathouses; excavation of boat slips and channels; construction and backfilling of bulkheads and placement of riprap; and installation of submerged and aerial power lines and utility lines. The Corps has submitted a Federal Consistency Determination that finds the proposed action consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-053F |
The Accomack County Airport Commission (Commission) proposes to acquire avigation easements and remove approximately 247 acres of obstructions (trees) on both the acquired easements and existing property at the county-owned Accomack County Airport (MFV) near the Town of Melfa. The trees that have been determined to cause interference to the electronic signal emitted by the localizer antenna and are obstructions to navigation (FAR part 77) for approach and transitional surfaces at MFV. The Commission will acquire approximately 125 acres of avigation easements for tree clearing that is off airport property. The obstruction removal involves approximately 2 acres of tree clearing and approximately 245 acres of tree removal through the use of silviculture. Two tree removal methods will be used to eliminate the obstructions at the airport. The first includes the clearing and grubbing of 2 acres of trees adjacent to the airport terminal area. The remaining 245 acres will involve the removal of trees via silviculture where approximately 91 acres consist of wetlands. Silviculture will be utilized to reduce the environmental impact of tree clearing and permanent impacts on wetlands. The proposed tree clearing and silviculture will take approximately 120 days to complete. Phase one of the silviculture process consists of cutting trees without grubbing the root system, utilizing equipment that will minimize ground disturbance. Phase two involves replanting with different species of trees that will flourish in the indigenous environment but will not grow to the heights of those species that were removed. The Commission has submitted an Environmental Assessment for the project that includes a Federal Consistency Certification (FCC). The FCC finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-052S |
Old Dominion University submitted an environmental impact report for the construction of an addition to the Child Study Center on its campus in the City of Norfolk. The project site includes parking spaces and playground. The one-story addition to the center will be approximately 6,623 square feet in size. |
| 13-051F |
Capital One Financial Services submitted a federal consistency certification (FCC) for the development of a data center site in Chesterfield County. Capital One is constructing the first phase of development with a 150,000-square foot building on the 75-acre site. The building will be used for a data center, customer service center and offices. The site will contain open space and parking areas with approximately 900 parking spaces. Capital One proposes to fill 1.8 acres of forested wetlands, which will require an individual permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to the FCC, Capital One certifies that the proposed activity is consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-050S |
Virginia State University (VSU) submitted an environmental impact report for the acquisition of 69 properties and the construction of a Multipurpose center on its campus in Chesterfield County. The center will be on 49.5 acres of land located southwest of the existing VSU Petersburg Campus. The building will be a multi-story 168,000 square foot facility that includes an athletic and event venue, seating 5,200 to 6,200 people, a recreation and wellness center, classroom space and a conference area. The project also includes the construction of several parking lots with a total of 1,546 parking spaces, a connector road extending from Chesterfield Avenue to Fourth Avenue, and outdoor athletic facilities, including soccer and event fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. The project site is located in a residential neighborhood with approximately 16 acres of mature trees. |
| 13-049S |
James Madison University (JMU) submitted an environmental impact report for the construction of a parking lot expansion on its campus in the City of Harrisonburg. The parking lot will support the existing University Park (UPark) located at the intersection of Port Republic Road and Neff Avenue. UPark is a 65-acre sports complex. The proposed parking lot will be approximately 2.5 acres in size with 282 parking spaces. The current project site, which is owned by JMU, consists of three vacant dwellings, outbuildings, fences, driveways and lawns with trees. |
| 13-048S |
James Madison University submitted an environmental impact report for the expansion of the University Recreation Center on its campus in the City of Harrisonburg. The footprint for the new construction is approximately 130,000 square feet. Project activities include building an instructional natatorium, fitness center, gym, fitness and multipurpose rooms and a track and stretching area. The project will also include renovations to the existing University Recreation Center. The proposed project site contains a recreational turf playing field, sidewalks and landscaped areas. |
| 13-047S |
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) proposes to construct the West Grace-West Broad Streets Student Housing at the Monroe Park Campus in the City of Richmond. The student housing would consist of two residence halls constructed on a 2.42-acre parcel bounded by North Harrison Street (east), West Grace Street (south), Ryland Street (west), Broad Street (north), and an alley (northeast, along the eastern portion of property). The project site consists of the VCU 500 Academic Center and associated asphalt parking lots. The residence halls will be constructed in the areas that are currently paved with asphalt. The West Grace wing (Wing A) will be up to 5-stories, with approximately 102,500 square feet and providing approximately 235 beds. The West Broad wing (Wing B) will be up to 5-stories, with approximately 87,500 square feet and providing approximately 156 beds. The residence halls will consist of a mix of 4-bedroom apartments, 2-bedroom double-occupancy apartments, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments, single-occupancy efficiencies, and a first floor mixed-use living/learning space. VCU has submitted a Part 2 Environmental Impact Report for the proposed project. |
| 13-046F |
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposes to renourish the beach at the Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) on Wallops Island in Accomack County. The project includes the dredging and placement of up to 800,000 cubic yards (CY) of sand from an offshore borrow area (Unnamed Shoal A) using one or more trailing suction hopper dredge(s) to obtain the material. This would require one or more anchored pumpout station(s) approximately 2 miles east of Wallops Island in 25-30 feet of water. Up to several miles of submerged steel pipeline would be temporarily placed on the seafloor and would be the conduit by which the sand/water slurry would be pumped from the dredge to the beach. Once discharged onto the beach, mechanized equipment (e.g., bulldozers) would grade the material to the design template. The linear extent of the proposed beach fill would be approximately 2.3 miles between the Z-100 camera stand on the south up to just beyond the Horizontal Integration Facility located mid-island. Following beach fill, NASA would re-plant the dunes with native vegetation and install sand fencing to trap windblown sand. It is expected that the dredging and beach fill work would take between 1.5-3 months to complete. Depending upon the amount of funding available for the project, NASA may further extend its rock seawall to the south. NASA has submitted a Federal Consistency Determination that finds the proposed project consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-045F |
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) proposes to continue to implement the Wild Birds and Mammals Habitat and Facilities management project for the next five-year period (2013-2018). The project is a 5-year continuation of DGIF Grant W-48-D that has been active over 50 years. Under this program the DGIF maintains and enhances upland, wetland, and forested habitats; and buildings, dams and dikes, bridges, roads, gates, boundary lines, parking lots, and other wildlife management and public use facilities, and/or provides technical assistance to public and private partners concerning wildlife and wildlife habitat management. All annual scheduled work is either technical assistance; maintenance and repair work that is within the same footprint of existing facilities and previously disturbed ground/soils; or small-scale public use facilities developments that will not involve ground disturbance activities. All planned work that will involve new ground disturbance outside of previously disturbed areas will be specifically identified as requiring review under the Coastal Zone Management Act and will be submitted for state approval prior to initiation of work. DGIF has submitted federal consistency documentation that finds the proposed action consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-044F |
The Coast Guard intends to issue a CG-4424 Permit for Marine Event to the City of Hampton, the event sponsor for the Hampton Blackbeard Festival. The events will take place on the Hampton River, between the Settlers Landing Road Bridge and the Hampton Yacht Club docks. The event will include “Pirate Sea Battles” from May 31 through June 2, 2013. The river will be closed to maritime traffic between the Hampton City Docks and the Mill Point town Condos Docks on June 1 from 9:30 to 10:00 PM for fireworks. The Coast Guard has an established Special Local Regulation, #2 in the table to 33 CFR Part 100, section 100.501(c), to promote safety on the navigable waters immediately before, during, and immediately after a marine event. The Coast Guard states that the proposed activity is consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-043F |
The Coast Guard intends to establish a safety zone for the USO Patriotic Festival and Oceanfront Air Show, scheduled to take place between 12 noon and 3:30 PM from May 31, 2013 through June 2, 2013. The safety zone, along the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach, is bound by the following coordinates: 36-49-50 N/075-58-2 W; 36-51-46 N/075-58-33 W; 36-51-52 N/075-57-57 W; and 36-49-56 N/075-57-26 W. The sponsor, United Service Organization (USO), intends to place buoys to mark the race course. These will be temporary, and not for general navigation use. The Coast Guard will establish a safety zone in the table to 33 CFR Part 165, section 165.506(c). The Coast Guard states that the proposed activity is consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-042F |
Perdue Agribusiness, Inc. (Perdue) has submitted a Joint Permit Application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for the issuance of an individual permit pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to increase dredge depths at its facility located 0.30 mile south of the Jordan Bridge on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in the City of Chesapeake. Purdue is seeking a change in the dredge limits and depth as a result of the company having recently brokered a deal to import and export product on larger vessels than its facility can currently handle. The dredging would occur at two piers on site; the unloading pier and the loading pier. The unloading pier is located on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and is used for vessels ranging in size from 300 feet to 500 feet with a draft of up to 36 feet. The loading pier is located on Jones Creek which runs perpendicular to the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and is primarily used to load vessels with a draft of up to 40 feet. Purdue is requesting an allowable dredge depth of 42 feet below mean low water with a 1-foot allowable over dredge at the unloading pier and an allowable dredge depth of 42 feet below mean low water with a 1-foot allowable over dredge at the loading pier. In addition, Perdue seeks a western dredge limit of 115 feet and a northern dredge limit of 250 feet from the face of the loading pier. A 2:1 slope or greater would need to be maintained between any adjacent shorelines and the edge of the dredge limits to ensure that the proposed dredging does not cause erosion of the shorelines. The dredge spoils will be removed from the river bottom and placed in a barge for transport to Craney Island’s rehandling basin where it will later be moved upland by the Corps. Perdue has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-041F |
The U.S. General Services Administration submitted a federal consistency determination (FCD) for a potential lease site that is approximately two acres and located in Arlington County. The site is approximately 300 feet south of the intersection of Army Navy Drive and South Fern Street. The area has been graded and mostly covered by gravel. It has been used as a parking lot. A building of approximately 667,759 square feet will be constructed on the project site for lease by the National Science Foundation. The FCD states that the proposed project is consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (VCP). |
| 13-040S |
The Virginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion) submitted an application to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) for reconfiguration of transmission lines #543 and #558 and construction of the Pleasant View South 500 kilovolt (kV) switching station and the 500 kV switching station connection line. DEQ is conducting a coordinated review of the application at the request of the SCC. The new Pleasant View South Switching Station will be built on property owned by Dominion adjacent to its existing Pleasant View 500 kV Switching Station and 230 kV Substation. Dominion also proposes to relocate the existing 500 kV Pleasant View-Doubs Line #543 approximately 800 feet south of the existing Pleasant View Station and relocate the existing 500 kV Pleasant View-Brambleton Line #558 approximately 1,200 feet south of the existing Pleasant View Station to the proposed Pleasant View South Switching Station. The proposed line relocations and new connecting line will be constructed on property owned by Dominion. At the proposed Pleasant View South Switching Station, four 500 kV breakers and associated equipment will be installed to interconnect the proposed new transmission facilities with the transmission grid. |
| 13-039F |
Hoffman Block 8, LLC proposes to construct the Hoffman Town Center Block 8 for the National Science Foundation (NSF) at 2401 Eisenhower Avenue in the City of Alexandria. The site is currently a vacant surface parking lot. Hoffman Block 8, LLC, the owners of the property, is planning to redevelop the site for the NSA with an office building consisting of fourteen- and nineteen-story towers with underground parking. The NSF has submitted a Federal Consistency Determination that finds the proposed project consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-038F |
The Coast Guard intends to issue a CG-4424 Permit for Marine Event to the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Crew Club, which will hold a “Collegiate Regatta” on the lower James River on March 30, 2013 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The location is between positions 37-30-02 N/077-25-16 W and 37-31-12 N/077-25-02 W. Approximately 40 boats are expected to participate. The boats are crew shell boats that do not use any mechanical propulsion. Crews will enter the James River from the Rocketts Landing Boathouse, which already has an established and approved dock. The Coast Guard states that the proposed activity will be conducted in accordance with the enforceable policies of Virginia’s Coastal Zone Management Program (VCP). |
| 13-037F |
The Coast Guard intends to issue a CG-4424 Permit for Marine Event to the Virginia Boat Club, which will hold a “Masters Sprint’ regatta on the lower James River on June 22, 2013 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. The location is between positions 37-30-02 N/077-25-16 W and 37-31-12 N/077-25-02 W. Approximately 200 crew shell boats are expected to participate. The boats do not use any mechanical propulsion. Crews will enter the James River from the Rocketts Landing Boathouse, which already has an established and approved dock. The Coast Guard states that the proposed activity will be conducted in accordance with the enforceable policies of Virginia’s Coastal Zone Management Program (VCP). |
| 13-036F |
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is processing an application for mortgage insurance from AGM Financial Services. AGM Financial Services plans to finance construction of a two-building, 72-unit apartment complex called Riverwoods at Lake Ridge in Prince William County. The proposed project site consists of approximately 3.48 acres of partially undeveloped grassland improved upon with prepared building pads and associated paved access roads and parking areas. The federal consistency determination (FCD) submitted for the construction of the apartment complex states that the project would be consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (VCP) (formerly called the Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program). |
| 13-035F |
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) proposes to conduct migratory bird habitat enhancements for the GATR Tract at the Mockhorn Wildlife Management Area in Northampton County. The project includes the restoration of wildlife habitat utilizing forestry practices, invasive species control, and the removal of an abandoned cinderblock building and asphalt parking lot. Specifically, enhancement will be achieved through targeted timber harvests; plantings of fruit-producing shrubs, native grasses, forbs, flowering plants, and hardwood seedlings; mulching of logging debris and mid-story woody vegetation; creating walking trails/fire breaks; and the use of prescribed fire. Upon removal of the building and parking lot, the site will be planted with hardwood seedlings and shrubs. DGIF has submitted an application for federal financial assistance to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. DGIF finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-034F |
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to implement Amendment 8 to the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to address North Atlantic swordfish commercial fishery management measures. The most recent stock assessment, conducted in 2009, indicates that the North Atlantic swordfish population is fully rebuilt and overfishing is no longer occurring. Domestic catches have remained below the U.S. North Atlantic swordfish quota allocated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The current swordfish handgear permit is a limited access permit, and is often difficult or expensive to obtain. Based upon the rebuilt status of North Atlantic swordfish, renewed interest in commercial handgears that are lower in bycatch and bycatch mortality, and the availability of swordfish quota, Amendment 8 proposes to provide additional commercial fishing opportunities for persons using swordfish handgears. NMFS has submitted a Federal Consistency Determination that finds the proposed action consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-033F |
The Department of the Navy (Navy) proposed to construct the Marine Corps Reserve Training Center (RTC) a Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) at the Naval Air Station Oceana, Dam Neck Annex in the City of Virginia Beach. The RTC would be a steel-framed structure with concrete foundation, concrete floor, masonry walls, metal doors, and standing seam metal roofing system. The interior would consist of a specially constructed weapon's storage area (armory), assembly hall, classrooms, locker and shower rooms, workshops, and a Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) telecommunications room. The VMF would be a one-story, steel-framed structure with concrete foundation, concrete floor, masonry walls, standing seam metal roofing, high bay compartments, tool room, parts room, office, asphalt parking lot, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, concrete tactical road/parking, landscaping and irrigation, storm drainage piping and inlets, security lighting, perimeter fencing, bollards, and vehicle/pedestrian gates. The Navy has submitted a Federal Consistency Determination that finds the proposed project consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-032S |
Christopher Newport University (CNU) submitted an environmental impact report for the construction of a water fountain in an existing plaza on its campus in the City of Newport News. The proposed project site is an existing plaza with an area of 22,500 square feet between Trible Library and the David Student Union. CNU plans to construct a 17-foot high water fountain in the center of the plaza and installing new paving patterns around the fountain. This plaza will allow pedestrian access to the Great Lawn. |
| 13-031F |
Mr. Michael J. Bogese Jr. proposes to construct a shoreline stabilization project on the James River in Charles City County. The project area includes the Byrdwood property and the Rowe property, located immediately adjacent to each other and both owned by the applicant. The project consists of the stabilization of approximately 5,300 linear feet of shoreline through a hybrid approach combining offshore sills and breakwaters with beach nourishment and plantings. In addition, a boat ramp and a pedestrian crossing of a tidal gut connecting the two properties are proposed. Shoreline stabilization will consist of the construction of a combination of approximately 20 sills ranging in length from 40 to 250 feet and a total of 630 linear feet of breakwaters ranging in length from 70 to 100 feet. The structures will extend a maximum or 65 feet channelward of mean high water and 60 feet channelward of mean low water. The open-pile wooden pedestrian bridge will measure 5 feet wide and extend approximately 16 linear feet. The approximately 12 feet by 38 feet concrete boat ramp will be constructed on approximately 240 square feet of subaqueous bottom. The applicant intends to submit a Joint Permit Application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the issuance of an individual permit pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Williamsburg Environmental Group, on behalf of Mr. Bogese, has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-030F |
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to approve the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and 2013-2015 annual specifications. The spiny dogfish fishery is jointly managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. The Councils have recommended annual catch limits (ACLs) and commercial quotas for the following fishing years: 2013, ACL=54.295 million pounds (lbs) and commercial quota=40.842 million lbs; 2014, ACL=55.277 million lbs and commercial quota=41.784 million lbs; and 2015, ACL=55.063 million lbs and commercial quota=41.578 million lbs. The Councils have recommended an increase in the spiny dogfish possession limit from 3,000 lbs to 4,000 lbs per trip in each year. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has adopted identical management measures in state waters. NMFS has submitted a Federal Consistency Determination that finds the proposed action consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-029F |
The Capital Region Airport Commission, owner of the Richmond International Airport located in Henrico County, proposes to relocate a rotating beacon from the west side of the airport to an area adjacent to the airport maintenance facility near the southern end of the airport. The project may be partially funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The project elements include the following:
- Construction of a concrete support foundation, 3-4 feet in diameter, for the beacon tower; Installation of a new 55-foot tall, 9-inch diameter tapered steel beacon tower;
- Re-installation of the rotating beacon light;
- Installation of electric power, control conduit, and wiring; and
- Installation of an automatic power transfer switch for the existing airport maintenance facility emergency generator.
The Capital Region Airport Commission submitted a federal consistency certification which finds the relocation of the rotating beacon consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program.
|
| 13-028S |
Christopher Newport University submitted an environmental impact report (EIR) for the construction of Greek housing complex on its campus in the City of Newport News. The project is a complex of eight three-story residence halls and will be constructed in two phases. Six of the houses will be freestanding and intended to accommodate a single fraternity or sorority, and two of the houses will be duplexes. The complex will consist of approximately 96,000-gross square feet of new construction with 280 beds. The proposed project site is located between existing tennis courts and Warwick River Hall. The area formerly consisted of residential properties. All but one residential structure has been demolished. Woods, existing parking lots and residential roadways and walkways are located on the project site. |
| 13-027F |
Dominion Due Diligence submitted a federal consistency determination (FCD) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD is processing an application for mortgage insurance from Lancaster Pollard Mortgage Company, which will finance construction of a 21-unit/33-bed addition at “Heritage Green at Hanover.” Heritage Green at Hanover is an existing assisted living facility located at 7080 Brooks Farm Road in Hanover County. The proposed project site is a landscaped lawn. The FCD states that the project would be consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (VCP) (formerly called the Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program). |
| 13-026F |
The Elizabeth River Crossing Opco, LLC has proposed modifications to the Elizabeth River Tunnels project to be constructed in the Cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk. This project is part of the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/Martin Luther King Extension project (formerly known as the Midtown Tunnel Corridor project) previously reviewed by the Commonwealth in 2012 (DEQ 12-080F). The project consists, in part, of the construction of a new immersed tunnel under the Elizabeth River, running generally parallel to the existing tunnel. The modifications include the elimination of the pile installation under tunnel elements 1, 2, 3 and 11. The proposed dredge depths have been increased in these areas in order to remove soft clay materials which will then be backfilled with granular fill. This will result in a reduction in the area to be dredged from 25.2 acres to 20.9 acres, and the volume of dredge material will be reduced from 1,500,000 cubic yards to approximately 1,300,000 cubic yards. In addition, the location and design of the temporary ancillary structures has changed and timber pilings will be used to support the turbidity curtains to be installed during dredging and excavation operations. Elizabeth River Crossing Opco, LLC has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed modifications consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-025S |
Christopher Newport University submitted an environmental impact report for the construction of a bell tower on its campus in the City of Newport News. The proposed project site is an open field with trees, bushes and walkways that is located east of McMurran Hall. The bell tower will be approximately 65 feet tall with a footprint of approximately 400 square feet. |
| 13-024S |
The Virginia Electric Power Company (Dominion) submitted an application to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to relocate a transmission line in Loudoun County. Dominion proposes to relocate an approximately 0.8-mile segment of its existing 230 kilovolt (kV) Brambleton – Beaumeade Line #2095 to approximately 1.2 miles of new 100-foot-wide right-of-way in Loudoun County. The existing segment is located east of Dominion’s Greenway Substation. |
| 13-022F |
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) has submitted an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the construction of a proposed parking structure at the Tidewater Community College (TCC) Chesapeake Campus. The parking structure will be located in the southeastern area of the TCC Chesapeake Campus and will have a footprint of approximately 95,000 square feet, with a finished floor plan of approximately 380,000 square feet distributed over four tiers and three levels. The project will include the construction of a stormwater management best management practice facility to the north and adjacent to the parking structure. The area of disturbance is projected at 6.55 acres. The site is currently improved with a gravel parking lot and athletic fields to the north and a small vegetative buffer located to the northwest. The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will consist of the demolition of existing structures and the implementation of the erosion and sediment control plan; the second phase will encompass the construction of the building and associated infrastructure. |
| 13-021F |
The Department of the Army at Fort Belvoir proposes to replace existing waterline in the vicinity of Davison Army Airfield at the Fort Belvoir Main Post in Fairfax County. Fort Belvoir’s water utility partner, American Water (AW), will replace 34,000 linear feet of existing waterline with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The new pipe will be installed parallel to the existing pipe (which will be abandoned in place) using open cut and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) to minimize impacts to Resource Protection Areas, wetlands, and streams. All connection points, service tie-ins, and fire hydrants will be open cut and will be located to minimize the disturbance of concrete and asphalt surfaces. The area disturbed for each individual excavation will be less than 2,500 square feet in size. The total work area is anticipated to be 400,000 square feet, which includes: material and equipment staging areas, areas where pipes will be fused together and strung out, and a disturbed soil area (340,000 square feet). The new waterline will be hydrostatically pressure tested, chlorinated, and flushed. Chlorinated water will pass through a dechlorinator prior to discharge. The Army has submitted a Federal Consistency Determination that finds the proposed project consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-020F |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is reviewing an application from the City of Norfolk for the issuance of an individual permit (NAO-2012-0428-1) pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The permit addresses proposed impacts to jurisdictional Waters of the United States related to the maintenance dredging of the Lafayette River to the Edgewater Haven subdivision in the City of Norfolk. The proposed channel improvement will impact 4,355 feet of channel with a 30-foot width (at the toe). The requested maximum depth is -5 feet mean low water. The estimated dredge volume is 19,700 cubic yards and the project will impact 180,900 square feet (4.15 acres) of state-owned bottom land. The channels will be dredged mechanically and the material will be barged to the Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area (DMMA) for disposal. The project proposes either disposal into the Rehandling Basin from the barge or a hydraulic pump out directly into the upper cells of the DMMA. The City of Norfolk has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-019F |
The Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (RUS) is amending its regulations to address a new loan program mandated by Congress in 2008. RUS would provide loans to eligible rural utility providers (“primary recipients”) which would act as intermediaries to make energy efficiency loans to consumers in their service territories (“ultimate recipients”). RUS expects to require that primary recipients comply with mitigation measures as outlined in the following nine subject areas: publicly owned or managed lands, Indian trust territories, important farmlands, floodplains, wetlands, coastal barrier resources, species of concern, health and safety, and historic properties. The PEA defines terms and explains the activities eligible for insured RUS loans. |
| 13-018F |
Dominion Transmission, Inc. (DTI) proposes to construct the TL-465 special permit pipeline replacement project located in Prince William County. The project consists of the replacement of approximately 9,200 linear feet of 24-inch diameter natural gas transmission pipeline (TL-465) using the parallel lay construction technique, whereby the replacement section will be installed at a 10-foot offset parallel to the existing pipeline. The proposed construction workspace will utilize DTI’s existing 30-foot permanent right-of-way (ROW) and an additional 10 feet of proposed permanent ROW for the replacement section, 25 feet of temporary ROW, and 25 feet of extra temporary workspace adjacent to the temporary ROW. At road crossings, tie-in locations, and existing electric transmission towers, 25 feet of extra work space is required. Additional facilities required include a total of 1.0 mile of access roads and a 3.0-acre temporary storage/construction pipeyard. A Blanket Certificate 60-Day Prior Notice Request is being prepared by DTI for submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. DTI has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-017F |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is reviewing an application from Weanack Land, LLLP (Weanack) for the reissuance of an individual permit (NAO-2003-2436) as required pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The permit addresses proposed impacts to jurisdictional Waters of the United States related to maintenance dredging activities associated with Port Tobacco at Weanack and the Weanack Access Channel on the James River in Charles City and Chesterfield Counties. Project activities include: (1) Increase the dredge depth in the Weanack Access Channel to -22 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) rather than the previously authorized -20 feet MLLW. (2) Expand the area within Shirley Cove used for mooring and staging an additional 942,920 square feet (21.646 acres) and dredge to a depth of -13 feet MLLW. (3) Alter the footprint of the Shirley Cove Dredged Material Management Area. Once all phases have been completed, 61 acres consisting of a mosaic of open water, tidal emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested wetlands will have been restored. In addition, the ancestral wetland hydrologic connections to the James River and Eppes Creek will be reestablished. Weanack has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-016F |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is reviewing an application from Dominion Virginia Power (Dominion) for the issuance of an individual permit as required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The permit addresses proposed impacts to jurisdictional Waters of the United States related to the construction and operation of a 66-acre synthetically-lined industrial fossil fuel combustion products (FFCP) management facility at Dominion’s coal-fired Dutch Gap Power Station in Chesterfield County. The FFCP facility will be equipped with a leachate collection system and stormwater management facilities. In addition, the project includes the construction of two roads; an emergency road entering the facility from the north and a haul road entering from the south. The haul road will require the construction of an elevated roadway and a 32-foot wide bridge to cross Proctors Creek and its associated floodplain. As proposed the project would permanently impact 1,456 linear feet of stream channel, 0.132 acre of emergent wetlands, and 0.021 acre of scrub/shrub wetlands. The project would also temporarily impact 0.89 acre of tidal forested wetlands for construction access associated with the construction of the bridge across Proctors Creek. Dominion has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-015S |
The Department of Conservation and Recreation submitted modifications to a site plan reviewed in a recent environmental impact report (EIR) for a project in the Shenandoah River Raymond R. “Andy” Guest, Jr. State Park, which is located in Warren County. The original EIR was reviewed under DEQ # 12-207S. The project includes the construction of a building near the existing parking lot in a partially forested area and the development of a canopy tour on a portion of the park. The tour would feature a series of above-ground zip-lines, observation areas and platforms. |
| 13-014F |
The Army Corps of Engineers proposes to dredge the approach and berthing areas for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Operations Center – Atlantic. The Center is located at the terminus of West York Street, adjacent to the Brambleton Avenue Bridge where it crosses over Smith Creek in Norfolk. The dredging would be to a maintained depth of 25 feet below mean lower low water (MLLW) and a maximum depth of 28 feet MLLW. Dredged material would be placed in one of the containment cells at Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area or in the Craney Island Rehandling Basin, overboard in an unconfined manner with one side open to the Elizabeth River. The project will affect an estimated 9.4 acres of intertidal area, removing a total of 135,000 cubic yards of material. |
| 13-013S |
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services submitted an environmental impact report for construction associated with the renovation of Building #10 at its 300-acre Central Virginia Training Center in Amherst County. The project proposes to conduct interior and exterior renovations as well as expand the building. Building #10 is located on the north end of the training center as part of a residential development known as Rapidan Park. Exterior construction consists of constructing a new canopy at the main entrance of the building, a paved walkway, and additions of a new day room and additional space at the back of the building, as well as the renovation of existing courtyards. |
| 13-012F |
The Army proposes to conduct force reductions and realign existing forces from federal fiscal years (FY) 2013 through 2020. Under either of the two action alternatives, the authorized FY 2012 end strength would decline from 562,000 to 490,000. The Programmatic EA analyzes three alternatives:
- A no-action alternative, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- Alternative 1, “Implement Force Reductions.” This would involve inactivation of at least eight brigade combat teams (BCTs) and other support units in a number of Army installations. Alternative 1 would assume a loss of 35 percent of the soldiers on installations with no BCTs. Installations with 1 BCT would lose it (approximately 3,450 for infantry, 3,850 for armored, and 4,200 for stryker), along with 30 percent of the installation’s non-BCT soldiers. No installation would gain soldiers. Fort Lee and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, the Virginia installations affected, would lose 2,400 people and 2,700 people, respectively.
- Alternative 2, “Reorganize BCTs.” This would include the reductions and realignments in Alternative 1. Under it, the Army would also inactivate additional BCTs while restructuring, combining, and augmenting some of them. Accordingly, some installations, not including the two in Virginia, would gain personnel.
The Army will consider the applicability of the federal consistency review requirement under the Coastal Zone Management Act, as well as preparing installation-specific NEPA documents, when it prepares to implement the program at specific installations. Implementation may not affect all of the installations considered in the PEA.
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| 13-011F |
Philip Morris USA submitted a federal consistency certification (FCC) for proposed development at its facility in the City of Richmond. The FCC was submitted as a requirement for obtaining an Individual Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The proposed project includes the construction of a parking lot and site preparations for a proposed hotel and restaurant site, an industrial site, and a facilities-use site. The proposed wetland impacts are approximately 2 acres of nontidal wetlands and 1,500 linear feet of nontidal stream bed. The FCC states that the project will be consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (formerly called the Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program). |
| 13-010F |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is reviewing an application (NAO-2012-2244) from the City of Norfolk (Norfolk) for an individual permit required pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for proposed impacts to jurisdictional Waters of the United States from the Ocean View shoreline improvement project in Norfolk. Norfolk proposes to demolish eleven derelict timber groins, replace a derelict timber groin with a new rock/sheet pile groin and construct a beach nourishment project from approximately 3rd View Street to Ocean View Beach Park in the West Ocean View area. The eleven timber groins will be pulled out in their entirety, possibly through the use of water jets. Beach nourishment will involve the placement of 46,800 cubic yards (cy) of sandy material in an area totaling 311,940 square feet (7.16 acres); with 16,550 cy between mean high water and mean low water and 6,250 cy placed below mean low water. The sand will be obtained from an approved upland source that meets certain specifications. Approximately 4,700 truck loads are anticipated and the staging and construction area will be located at Sarah Constant Shrine Park. One timber groin will be replaced with a rock/sheet pile groin extending 150 feet in total bottom length, 88 feet channelward of mean high water. The rock for the groin will impact approximately 2,788 square feet of subaqueous bottom, with a total of 750 cy of armor stone. The project purpose is to abate a chronic shoreline erosion problem and to increase storm surge and wave protection to public and private properties. Norfolk has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-009F |
The General Services Administration (GSA) proposes to reconstruct the existing U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Drive from Sunrise Valley Drive to South Lake Drive in Reston, Virginia. Total surface area of the road to be reconstructed is 2.7 acres. As part of the project, GSA will provide stormwater management, using infiltration trenches located along the road within roadside ditches. Some trees, which are itemized on the construction plan, are to be removed; these will be replaced in kind, species as well as size. Approximately 4,700 cubic yards of spoil will be created by the project; this will be stored at an appropriate site on U.S. Geological Survey property, and used for a future landscaping project. |
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13-008S
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The Department of Corrections (DOC) submitted an environmental impact report (EIR) for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and associated acquisition for the Augusta Correctional Center in Augusta County. The EIR states that under the proposed action, DOC would acquire the estimated 13 acres of land that include and surround the existing sewage treatment lagoons and storage pond from the Town of Augusta. The middle lagoon will be used as the location for the proposed wastewater treatment plant. The EIR states that the plant will be designed to serve a population that exceeds the future projected growth of the town and correctional center. The new plant will have discharges to Smith Creek. The existing pump station, which is approximately 0.5 mile northwest of the proposed treatment plant, would be expanded. |
| 13-007F |
The Middle Peninsula Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority) proposes to construct an access road to the East Corporate Complex on airport property in King and Queen County. The Airport Authority has granted a lease to a defense contractor (Fulcrum) to locate a corporate complex at the airport. The East Corporate Complex is currently under construction utilizing a temporary access road. The proposed project consists of the construction of a new permanent 2,100-foot long x 22-foot wide paved asphalt roadway from Airport Drive to the Fulcrum complex. In addition, a Best Management Practices (BMP) detention basin may be installed in an area of uplands to meet King and Queen County water quality requirements. The project area measures approximately 1.93 acres (2,100’ X 40’) while the Limits of Disturbance (LOD) measure approximately 2.9 acres (2,100’ X 60’) including the BMP detention basin. The Airport Authority has submitted an Environmental Assessment for the project that includes a Federal Consistency Certification (FCC). The FCC finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-006S |
Old Dominion University (ODU) submitted an environmental impact report (EIR) for the construction of a new art studio building on its campus in the City of Norfolk. The project site is located on the eastern side of Hampton Boulevard. The project site is bounded by 47th Street, 46th Street and a parking lot serving ODU. The project site consists of the existing ODU art studio building, which is proposed to be demolished. The proposed art studio building will be part of an art complex and will be connected to a planned (and approved) art building, which will be constructed on the parking lot adjacent to the proposed project site. The proposed building will be two stories and approximately 22,000 square feet. |
| 13-005S |
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) submitted a final environmental assessment (EA) regarding the proposed obstruction removal and land acquisition at Mountain Empire Airport. The Smyth Wythe Airport Commission proposes to acquire 342 acres of an avigation easement and approximately 1 acre in fee simple, install a directional approach lighting system, and remove trees and grade terrain at the Mountain Empire Airport in Smyth and Wythe counties. The tree removal will occur both on and off airport property. The airport does not propose to affect wetlands or streams during the tree removal activities. The final EA does not address comments and recommendations submitted by the Department of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Games and Inland Fisheries, so DEQ is conducting a limited coordinated review. |
| 13-004F |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is reviewing an application (NAO-2001-4137) from Enviva Port of Chesapeake, LLC (Enviva) for an individual permit required pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for proposed impacts to jurisdictional Waters of the United States from the Enviva Port of Chesapeake maintenance dredging in the City of Chesapeake. Enviva proposes to mechanically dredge approximately 20,000 cubic yards of material from an area measuring 200 feet wide by 950 feet long. This area was last maintenance dredged to a depth of -38 feet below mean low water (MLW) in August 2008. Enviva is proposing to dredge this area to an absolute depth of -42 feet below MLW to accommodate larger ships. The purpose of this project is to continue to provide Enviva, a biomass fuels company, the necessary deep water access to export wood chips and pellets. The proposed project will remain within the previously authorized dredge footprint but will be four feet deeper. Incorporating dredging best management practices, including not exceeding the capacity of the clamshell bucket or the receiving barge, will further minimize impacts. Enviva has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-003S |
Radford University submitted an environmental impact report (EIR) for the construction of an academic building between McConnell Library and Muse Hall on its campus in the City of Radford. The proposed project site contains Lucas Hall, which is proposed to be demolished. The new building will be approximately 140,000 square feet and consists primarily of laboratories, classrooms and office space. The EIR states that existing parking will serve the building and the project includes outdoor lighting and landscaping. |
| 13-002F |
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) proposes to construct the Spotsylvania Third Track project in Spotsylvania County. The proposed project includes the construction of approximately 8,400 feet of new mainline track to the east of the existing two-track rail corridor of CSX Transportation for the VRE Crossroads Yard (approximately 1,900 feet south of the US Route 17 overpass bridge) to the at-grade crossing at Mine Road. Approximately 5,700 feet of existing siding track north of Mine Road would be upgraded to mainline track standards. The new track (south of Mine Road) would be constructed approximately 15 feet east of the centerline of the existing tracks while the upgraded track (north of Mine Road) would be shifted a couple of feet east to improve alignment. A siding track would be constructed at the southern terminus of the proposed project to provide access to the VRE Crossroads Yard and a proposed VRE passenger station/platform (by others). The project would include the extension of the existing arch structure over Massaponax Creek and would include modification to track turnouts and crossovers approximately 1,000 feet north of the Route 3 overpass. Improvements would be constructed within existing CSX Transportation right-of-way. VRE has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |
| 13-001F |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is reviewing an application (NAO-2011-02388) from the Enclave at Princess Anne, LLC for an individual permit required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for proposed impacts to jurisdictional Waters of the United States from the construction of the Enclave at Princess Anne, a residential community in the City of Virginia Beach. Development of the 17-acre site located at 2812 North Landing Road would consist of the construction of 34 single-family lots, a roadway, two stormwater ponds, and a gravel drive to connect an existing residence to the proposed cul-de-sac at the northern road terminus. Post-construction stormwater management will be provided by the construction of two on-site wet retention ponds. Access to the development will be provided initially via the connection of the proposed central road to North Landing Road. This connection will be demolished when the City of Virginia Beach constructs the Future Nimmo Parkway Extension across the northern portion of the project site, and the cul-de-sac will be demolished to build a connection point to Nimmo Parkway. The Enclave at Princess Anne, LLC has submitted a Federal Consistency Certification that finds the proposed project consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. |