The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Department of the Environment have scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, March 6 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the auditorium of Kent Island High School at 900 Love Point Road. People who want to speak at the hearing should sign up at the registration table a half-hour before the hearing.

A public notice from the Corps of Engineers and MDE said K. Hovnanian of Maryland has applied for a Department of Army permit under the federal Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and the federal Clean Water Act, and under the state Tidal Wetlands Act and the state Nontidal Wetlands Protection Act.

The notice said no decision has been made on whether a permit will be issued for the project. The public comment period runs from Feb. 3 to March 21.

Four Seasons would be built on 562 acres of land, located north of U.S. Route 50 and on both sides of Castle Marina Road. The property adjoins tidal waters of Cox Creek, Macum Creek and the Chester River.

The notice said plans for Four Seasons include 1,350 houses, a community clubhouse, exercise and recreation rooms, a conference room; an outdoor pool; tennis, bocci and croquet courts, a putting green; a 72-slip community pier; a vehicle and pedestrian bridge, a bike/pedestrian path; a stormwater drainage system with 18 riprap outfalls; a water tower; helicopter pad; sewage pumping station and utilities.

The upland facilities (houses, clubhouse, conference room, exercise and recreation rooms, water tower and helicopter pad) do not require a permit from the Corps of Engineers.

The notice said the project would impact 22,507 square feet (0.517 acres) of permanent wetlands and 81,785 square feet (1.878 acres) of temporary wetlands, for a cumulative impact of 104,292 square feet (2.39 acres). 
 
© The Star Democrat  2003