Public Notice: Opportunity to comment on Clean Water Act Certification for the Mancos River Restoration Project in Mesa Verde National Park, under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CWA Section 404 Nationwide Permit 27
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a request from the National Park Service, Mesa Verde National Park for a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 water quality certifications (WQC). Section 401(a)(1) of the CWA requires applicants for Federal permits and licenses that may result in any discharge into waters of the United States to obtain certification or waiver from the certifying authority where the discharge would originate.
The EPA acts as the certifying authority on lands of exclusive federal jurisdiction in relevant respects, in this case on lands within Mesa Verde National Park.
Action
The EPA will act on these certification requests by either: (1) granting certification; (2) granting certification with conditions; (3) denying certification; or (4) expressly waiving certification consistent with CWA Section 401 and the EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 CFR 121.
The proposed project would be authorized under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nationwide Permit (NWP) 27. NWP 27 authorizes the discharge of dredged and/or fill material into waters of the United States for aquatic habitat restoration, enhancement, and establishment activities under Section 404 of the CWA and/or work or structures in navigable waters of the United States pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.
Applicant’s Name: Kayci Collins, National Park Service, Mesa Verde National Park
Agent's Name: Andrew Spear, National Park Service, Mesa Verde National Park
Waterways: Mancos River
Location: 37.22799, -108.34413, near Weber Canyon in Mesa Verde National Park
Project Description
The proposed project will use post-assisted log structures (PALS) to increase stream channel structural complexity and improve channel-floodplain hydrologic connectivity. Forty-three structures will be installed along approximately 0.8 miles of stream (Mancos River). The structures will be made of locally harvested wood material and purchased untreated wood posts. All structures will be built by hand using small tools including chainsaws, shovels, and a hydraulic post-pounder. No heavy machinery will be used to construct the structures. Structures will be fully contained within the active channel. Total direct impacts to waters of the United States from all structures is estimated to be 0.07 acre. No discharge of dredged or fill material into wetlands is anticipated. The purpose of the project is to improve river and riparian health, enhance fish habitat by creating pools providing crucial refugia during periods of drought, and encourage cottonwood recruitment and development of a vigorous willow community.
Public Comments
Notice and details of any extension of the comment period will be published on this page. Interested parties on our email list will also be notified by email. Submit comments as described in the box at right.
At this time there is no opportunity to review the submitted material and documents in person at an EPA office. These documents are only available electronically and can be provided upon request. Contact Estella Moore at R8CWA401@epa.gov or 303-312-6357 to request additional information, public notice updates, submit comments or provide additional information relevant to this certification.
Public Hearings: Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. If the EPA determines that a public hearing is appropriate or necessary, the EPA will schedule a public hearing. You may request a public hearing using the information in the “How to Comment” box on the righthand side of this webpage.
Project Applicant
Kayci Collins, Superintendent (kayci_cook@nps.gov)
Mesa Verde National Park
970-529-4600
Project Agent
Andrew Spear (andrew_spear@nps.gov)
Mesa Verde National Park
970-529-5065