Army Corps Awards Contract for Montauk Dredging

Preparation for dredging Montauk Harbor is underway.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded the maintenance dredging and sand replenishment contract for $414,590 to North America Landscaping, Construction, and Dredge Company from Ellicott City, MD.

"Approximately 15,000-20,000 cubic yards of sand removed from the channel will be placed along the shore just west of the west jetty at the entrance to Lake Montauk Harbor," according to a statement from the Army Corps.

The dredging project was for safety and economic reasons after shoaling was from Coast Guard Station Montauk to enter and exit the harbor following severe storms in early 2011.

New York District Commander Col. John R. Boulé said, "The dredging will greatly improve navigational safety and benefit the various frequent users of this channel, including commercial fishermen, the Coast Guard and recreational boaters."

"As we speak, the contractor is in Montauk preparing for this emergency dredging," Town Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said. "Along with the United States Department of Commerce Montauk Port Study, the work of the Lake Montauk Watershed Committee, the re-energized Fisheries Committee under Captain Rick Etzel, and , these action show the great support of the Montauk Harbor by federal and state government and its priority by my administration."

The Army Corps expects the project to be completed by the end of the year.

Also, the agency said, in partnership with State Department of Environmental Conservation, it will undertake a dual purpose study for navigation improvements and coastal storm damage risk reduction.

The Lake Montauk Harbor Feasibility Study will analyze the feasibility of deepening and widening the channel with placement of dredged sand on the shoreline further west of the channel with potential use of groins to hold the sand, according to the Army Corps. A draft of the study could be done by 2012.