The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is proposing the installation of a new pedestrian facility along MD 245 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. This project would result in minor impacts to Miedzinski Park, which is owned and managed by the St. Mary’s County Department of Parks and Recreation and protected under Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (Section 4(f)).
Why is this work necessary and what improvements are proposed? The construction of new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk along MD 245 will require drainage improvements and a new stormwater management facility south of Baldridge Street. The existing sidewalk within the vicinity of the park will need to be reconstructed and will comply with ADA standards. The proposed work includes: • Upgrade/replacement of the existing sidewalks and ramps to comply with ADA standards • Drainage improvements, including the installation of a new Storm Water Management Pipe • Replacement of existing landscaping
Why are comments being requested? 23 CFR 774.5(b) of Section 4(f) allows the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to determine that certain transportation uses of Section 4(f) land (Miedzinski Park) would have no adverse effect on the protected resource. With respect to publicly owned parks and recreation areas, a finding of de minimis impact may occur if a transportation project, including any proposed mitigation, does not "adversely affect the activities, features and attributes" of the Section 4(f) resource. When this is the case, public notice and opportunity for public review and comment on the finding is required. In addition, the finding of FHWA requires written concurrence from the officials with jurisdiction over the resource. Before concurring, the officials with jurisdiction must consider any public comments received.
What are the impacts to protected Section 4(f) resources? The proposed improvements will require 0.17 acre (7,590 square feet) of temporary construction easement and 0.08 acre (3,468 square feet) perpetual easement from within Miedzinski Park totaling less than 0.25 acre (11,058 square feet). The Miedzinski Park consists of grass, trees, a parking lot, picnic tables, a baseball diamond (60 feet), three multi-sport fields, a batting cage, an accessible playground, and restroom facilities. These minor impacts will occur in the grassy areas along the southwest corner of the park which includes the sidewalk and are not expected to adversely affect the activities, features, and attributes of the Miedzinski Park. The sidewalk will be closed during construction and a detour will be required to maintain pedestrian traffic. The detour will reroute pedestrians to the opposite side of the roadway, while not affecting the pedestrian movement within the park. SHA, through this notice, is notifying the public that it will request that FHWA make a de minimis (or minor) impact finding, in accordance with Section 4(f). The St. Mary’s County Department of Parks and Recreation is being informed of SHA’s intent to seek a Section 4(f) de minimis impact finding. With this notice, the public is afforded the opportunity to provide comments on this finding.
How do I comment? If you have questions or wish to comment, please contact Mr. John Delaney, SHA Project Manager at 410-545-8053 or jdelaney@mdot.maryland.gov, or Ms. Sushmita Sakar, SHA Environmental Manager at 410-545-0392 or ssarkar@mdot.maryland.gov; or visit us at www.roads.maryland.gov.
