Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) submitted a Section 404 permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAEC) for the State College Area Connector project. This application is part of the project process and does not propose any changes to the recommended preferred alternative or change any information previously provided to the public.

A Section 404 Permit is a federal permit required when a discharge, fill materials, or impact to a stream, wetland, or other body of water is proposed. It includes information identifying the potential impacts to the streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water within the project area. The permitting process also includes issuing an invitation to the public, state and federal agencies, and other interested parties to comment on the project.

After receiving PennDOT’s submission, USACE issued a public notice as required for any individual Section 404 Permit application received. The public notice is another step in the process of evaluating the project for permit approval. It includes the following information:

• The applicant’s name and information.
• The project location information.
• Existing information on the project area.
• Proposed environmental impacts for the project.
• The project’s purpose.
• How the applicant has been able to avoid and minimize certain environmental impacts.
• How the unavoidable impacts will be mitigated or offset.
• Identifies each of the required clearances for the project, including, but not limited to, cultural resources, endangered species, and water quality.

The notice also indicates how comments should be submitted to the USACE and that the USAEC will evaluate and include the comments received within an overall project environmental document. USAEC will also determine if a public hearing for the project is needed, if applicable.