Applicants seek Corps permit for work in wetland near unnamed tributary of the Missisquoi River

Project Updates - January 24, 2003

Jacob Remi and Jason Bourdeau are seeking a US Army Corps of Engineers permit to retain and maintain the mechanical clearing and conversion to cropland of about 2.2 acres of forested wetland adjacent to an unnamed tributary of the Missisquoi River in Sheldon, Vermont.

A total of about 7.7 acres of forested wetland were mechanically cleared and converted. About 5.5 acres of wetland have been restored. In an attempt to mitigate for the unavoidable impacts of the project, the applicants propose to maintain in a natural state in perpetuity about 9.7 acres of upland immediately adjacent to the river to the northeast of the converted area. The purpose of the project is to create additional cropland.

The application for the federal permit was filed with the Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material in US waters.

To help evaluate the proposal, the Corps is seeking public comments. Written statements referencing the permit (file # 199903165) should be forwarded no later than February 14 2003. Additional information is available from Marty Lefebvre (Martha.a.lefebvre@usace.army.mil) at the US Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Vermont Project Office, 8 Carmichael St, Suite 205, Essex Junction, VT 05452.