KVK22 NYSDEC Authorization to Proceed (S-KVK-1_2-6500-53-1).pdf

March 17, 2022

Randall G. Hintz Chief, Operations Support Brach U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District Jacob K. Javits Federal Building 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278

Re: NYSDEC Permit No. 2-6500-00053/00001

Maintenance Dredging at Contract Area S-KVK-1 Staten Island, New York

AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED

Dear Mr. Hintz:

The Department has received USACE NYD’s request received January 20, 2022, to perform maintenance dredging at contract area S-KVK-1 in the Kill Van Kull between Staten Island and Bayonne, NJ, under Water Quality Certification DEC No. 2-6500-00053/00001, and has determined that the proposed activity falls within the scope of the named WQC.

This letter is Authorization to Proceed with the proposed activities at Contract area S-KVK-1.

The following Natural Resources Special Condition is added to the above permit:

1. Environmental Bucket An environmental bucket is required for dredging silt and/or other fine grained unconsolidated materials. At least fifteen (15) days prior to the start of dredging, Permittee must provide drawings and performance specifics of the environmental bucket to the NYSDEC Dredge Team Leader, 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, New York, 11101;

R2Dredge@dec.ny.gov. The following bucket specifications are required:

a. The bucket must be constructed with sealing gaskets or overlapping sealed design at the jaws, and seals or flaps positioned at locations of vent to minimize the loss of material during transport through the water column and into the barge.

b. Any seals or flaps designed and/or installed at the jaws and locations of vent openings must tightly cover these openings while the bucket is lifted through the water column and into the barge. If excessive loss of water and/or sediments from mailto:R2Dredge@dec.ny.gov

Authorization to Proceed 2-6500-00053/00001 March 17, 2022 the bucket is observed from the time of its breaking the water surface to crossing the barge gunwale, the Permittee must halt dredging operations and inspect the bucket for defects. Operations must be suspended until all necessary repairs or replacements are made.

c. Bucket hoist speed must be limited to approximately 2 feet per second. The bucket must be lifted in a continuous motion through the water column and into the barge.

d. The bucket must be lowered to the level of the barge gunwales prior to the release of load.

e. Where the environmental bucket repeatedly encounters resistance from consolidated materials (e.g. stone, rock), a conventional digging bucket may be used. The Department must be provided with written notice of intent to switch buckets at least 48 hours (2 business days) prior to use of the conventional bucket.

2. Barge Overflow

Barge overflow is prohibited.

3. Dredging Windows For the protection of spawning winter flounder, dredging is prohibited from February 15 – May 20 of any calendar year.

All other conditions, terms, and specifications of the original permit remain as written. This authorization shall be attached to the original Water Quality Certificate and be available for inspection by the Department at all times at the project site. Copies of this authorization and the underlying permit shall be provided to all employees, contractors and agents performing any part of the permitted work.

If you have any technical or administrative questions, please email dep.r2@dec.ny.gov.

Sincerely, Stephen A. Watts III Regional Permit Administrator