In addition, impacts may be associated with waterfront property owners requesting to installing shoreline stabilization structures as well as boat docking facilities and moorings. Navigational channel dredging was conducted in the river in 1911 to establish an 8 mile long 40 foot wide 6 foot deep channel. Therefore, maintenance dredging could potentially be authorized in the area upstream of the Rout 108 bridge. Although these potential impacts are not directly a result of the bridge replacement, they should be considered as potential indirect and cumulative impacts. The Final Environmental Assessment does not consider stormwater management from the new road and bridge project.
Road runoff is a major factor in estuarine water quality degradation.
Discharge of untreated road runoff typically leads to deposition of sediments including road sands and salts, oil and grease, nutrients, as well as other substances into the marine environment. Essential Fish Habitat NMFS concurs with the ACOE determination that the project will not have a substantial adverse effect upon EFH as described in the Public Notice. However, NMFS remains concerned about the potential adverse effects to EFH from stormwater runoff from the project area as well as indirect cumulative impacts from the bridge height. NMFS supports the replacement of the Route 108 Bridge over the Squamscott River to provide for increased public safety. Additional concerns result from potential indirect cumulative impacts associated with the increase in clearance under the new bridge.