Searsport Harbor dredge plans- two updates: Plus Camden & Blue Hill
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Ron Huber
Nov 16, 2016, 12:30:15 AM11/16/16
to Friends of Penobscot Bay BOD, mack...@googlegroups.com, penba...@googlegroups.com
Maine Dredging Team Updates
The Maine Dredging Team today released minutes from its October 11, 2016 meeting in Portland. The team is led by Maine DOT and the Army Corps of Engineers and includes other state and federal agencies. At the meeting, the
Army Corps of
Engineers (ACOE) reviewed the status of
current navigation improvement projects in Maine.
Below are sections from the report about Searsport Harbor, Camden Harbor & Blue Hill Bay. Read full 2 page report here. (pdf)
Rob Elder (MaineDOT) noted
that Maine DOT has retained an environmental consulting firm to investigate to assess
upland disposal alternatives.
In response to questions,
Jay Clement (ACOE) indicated that he had no knowledge of
discussions of potential dredging in the Penobscot River and placement of dredged
materials in a CAD cell to be built off Castine and Cape Jellison as part of the federal
court-ordered cleanup of mercury contamination. Mr. Clement said he’d check with
colleagues and provide follow information. In response to the questions, Mr. Clement
further explained that any such dredging and disposal project would require applicable
state and federal permits, applications for which would be processed with public notice
and opportunity for comment and in consultation with natural resources agencies. Mr.
Clement further explained that a project-specific EA would prepared and would be the
basis for determining whether an EIS would be appropriate to ensure a hard look at
environmental effects.
Searsport Harbor (2) Mr. O’Donnell (ACOE) explained that, at the request of MaineDOT, the ACOE is evaluating options for maintenance dredging of the existing federal project as a separate project, independent of the related proposed navigation improvement project. See above.
Ed O’Donnell (ACOE) clarified that the maintenance dredging project would beconfined to the boundaries of the existing federal project, and involves dredging about
40,000 cy of material near the piers. Mr. O’Donnell further explained that ACOE is looking at various disposal options, would like to place the dredged material in a suitable
upland location, and is awaiting further information from MaineDOT. Rob Elder (MDOT)noted that MaineDOT has retained an environmental consulting firm to investigate to assess
upland disposal alternatives.
In response to questions, Jay Clement (ACOE) indicated that he had no knowledge of discussions of potential dredging in the Penobscot River and placement of dredged
materials in a CAD cell to be built off Castine and Cape Jellison as part of the federal court-ordered cleanup of mercury contamination. Mr. Clement said he’d check with
colleagues and provide follow information. In response to the questions, Mr. Clement further explained that any such dredging and disposal project would require applicable
state and federal permits, applications for which would be processed with public notice and opportunity for comment and in consultation with natural resources agencies. Mr.
Clement further explained that a project-specific EA would prepared and would be the basis for determining whether an EIS would be appropriate to ensure a hard look at
environmental effects.
Camden Harbor. Mark Habel (ACOE) reported that ACOE headquarters approved federal involvement in a feasibility study of a proposal to improve the existing breakwater. Work on this project remains on-hold pending execution of a feasibility cost-sharing agreement with the Town of Camden pursuant to which the town would be obligated to fund 50% of the study’s cost. The ACOE awaits the Town’s decision.
Blue Hill Bay. Mark Habel (ACOE) said that the Town of Blue Hill and the ACOE have entered into a cooperative agreement for the on-going feasibility study for this project. which involves a proposed shallow-draft channel and turning basin. Environmental sampling showed gasoline contamination in some areas where dredging had been planned, and additional sampling showed this to be confined to surface sediments, with clean glacial till comprising the bulk of the material to be dredged. The ACOE and town are also looking at reconfiguring the turning basin to minimize the volume of contaminated material needing removal.
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Stay tuned...
Ron
-- Ron Huber
Friends of Penobscot Bay
POB 1871, Rockland Maine 04841
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