Comment Period: February 20, 2024 – March 20, 2024
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a permit application for the discharge of dredged or fill material in approximately 2.3 acres of waters of the United States to expand and improve the existing Saratoga Springs North Marina Harbor. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments.
AUTHORITY: This application is being evaluated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States.
APPLICANT: City of Saratoga Springs
Attn: Mr. Jeremy Lapin
1307 North Commerce Drive, Suite 200
Saratoga Springs, UT 84045
LOCATION: The approximately 25-acre project site is located on the north end of Utah Lake at the Saratoga Springs North Marina, Latitude 40.36018°, Longitude -111.88535°, Saratoga Springs, Utah County, Utah, and can be seen on the Saratoga Springs USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is proposing to improve and expand the existing Saratoga Springs North Marina Harbor to meet current and futures demands. In December 2022 the applicant began construction on the proposed marina improvements that resulted in the filling of 0.35 acre of wet meadow. This unauthorized activity was the result of the installation of road base for the proposed jetty, boat ramp access, and parking lot. In addition to retaining these wetland impacts the applicant is proposing an additional 0.14 acre of wetland impacts and 1.81 acres of Utah lakebed impacts. These aquatic resource impacts would be the result of the proposed jetty, access road, boat ramp, trails, beach, and section of parking. The completion of the project would result in the impacts to 2.3 acres of aquatic resources. Based on the available information, the overall project purpose is to provide improved and additional recreational access to Utah Lake. The applicant believes there is a need to address the demand for safe boating and lake access. The attached drawings provide additional project details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. The proposed project is located on the north end of Utah Lake within and adjacent to the existing North Marina Harbor. There are approximately 0.35 acre of previously filled wet meadow, 1.05 acres of wet meadow, 0.09 acre of forested wetland, and 10.5 acres of lakebed within the project area. The wet meadow is dominated by common reed (Phragmites australis), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus) and various sedges (Carex sp.); and the forested wetland is dominated by tamarisk (Tamarix chinensis) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). The main hydrologic components of these wetlands are groundwater and Utah Lake. The lakebed is comprised mainly of recently excavated areas of muck with sporadic common reed (Phragmites australis).
Alternatives. The applicant has provided information concerning project alternatives. Additional information concerning project alternatives may be available from the applicant or their agent. Other alternatives may develop during the review process for this permit application. All reasonable project alternatives, in particular those which may be less damaging to the aquatic environment, will be considered.
Mitigation. The Corps requires that applicants consider and use all reasonable and practical measures to avoid and minimize impacts to aquatic resources. If the applicant is unable to avoid or minimize all impacts, the Corps may require compensatory mitigation. The applicant has proposed to re-establish and rehabilitate a section of wetland along the northwestern shore of Utah Lake within the City of Saratoga Springs boundary.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: Water quality certification or a waiver, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, is required for this project. The applicant applied for certification on August 5, 2023.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: Potentially eligible cultural resources may be affected by the proposed project. The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The proposed activity may affect Federally-listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat. The Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.
EVALUATION FACTORS: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the described activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the described activity, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the described activity will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people. The activity's impact on the public interest will include application of the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 230).
The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2022-00476 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before March 20, 2024.
Hollis Jencks, Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Utah Regulatory Field Office
533 West 2600 South, Suite 150
Bountiful, Utah 84010
Email: Hollis.G.Jencks@usace.army.mil
The Corps is particularly interested in receiving comments related to the proposal's probable impacts on the affected aquatic environment and the secondary and cumulative effects. Anyone may request, in writing, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests shall specifically state, with particularity, the reason(s) for holding a public hearing. If the Corps determines that the information received in response to this notice is inadequate for thorough evaluation, a public hearing may be warranted. If a public hearing is warranted, interested parties will be notified of the time, date, and location. Please note that all comment letters received are subject to release to the public through the Freedom of Information Act. If you have questions or need additional information please contact the applicant or the Corps' project manager Hollis Jencks, (801) 295-8380 ext. 8318, Hollis.G.Jencks@usace.army.mil.
Attachments: 2 drawings