5. Notice of Scoping for Thames Shipyard Improvements

Municipality where proposed project might be located: New London

Address of Possible Project Location: 50 Farnsworth Street, New London, CT 06320

Project Description: The Thames Shipyard and Repair Company is proposing to deepen the approach channel and turning basin to the shipyard to service deep draft vessels that are currently turned away because of insufficient water depth to reach the dry-docks. The proposed project consists of dredging a total of approximately 24,500 cubic yards of marine sediments from within the Thames Shipyard berthing area and access channel footprints. The proposed dredging of this facility consists of three individual footprints: Footprint A encompasses the dredging of a portion of the access channel, an area around the northern most dry-dock and the northern most pier to a depth of -18.0’ Mean Low Water (MLW). Footprint B encompasses an area around a main facility dry dock to a depth of -28.0’ MLW. Footprint C encompasses an area around the second pier from the south to a depth of -15.0’ MLW. Dredging and disposal operations are proposed to be conduced using the mechanical clam-shell method and within an approved DEEP dredging window. A thorough Disposal Alternatives Analysis concluded that dredge spoils will be disposed of at either the New London Disposal Site or the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site. When the project is completed, the shipyard will be in position to fully utilize the capability of the dry docks. This will allow Thames Shipyard to better service the region’s high capacity ferry services’ that rely on the shipyard to maintain their fleets. This in turn will lead to the creation of jobs in the marine trades field that will enable faster vessel turnaround times and the ability to service more vessels.

Project Map(s):  Click here to view a Location Map of the project area. Click here to view a Site Plan of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  December 8, 2011

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below.  If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.  Such requests must be made by November 18, 2011.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact: