The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awards a $454,400 contract to MCM Marine, Inc., of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., for dredging three southwest Michigan harbors: New Buffalo, Saugatuck and South Haven.
“We are pleased to award this contract, which will keep these Harbors of Refuge functional for recreational boaters and anglers, who are important to the economic vitality of communities and small businesses in southwest Michigan, ” said Lt. Col. Robert Ells, district engineer . “The dredging will also aid the work of the U.S. Coast Guard, which has a station in South Haven. ”
About 11,500 cubic yards of dredged material will be removed from New Buffalo Harbor; 22,000 cubic yards from Saugatuck Harbor; and 28,000 cubic yards from South Haven Harbor. At each of the harbors, dredged materials will be placed near the shoreline for beach nourishment.
Dredging in New Buffalo Harbor will begin in mid-June, and dredging in Saugatuck and South Haven is expected to begin in mid-July.
In late October 2012, sustained high winds out of the Northwest caused by Hurricane Sandy produced heavy wave action that mobilized sand to form shoals at the entrances to these Lake Michigan harbors. The dredging to be performed under this contract will address the shoaling caused by Hurricane Sandy.
This contract was awarded under the Corps’ Multiple Award Task Order Contract, MATOC, which the Detroit District established with 10 companies capable of dredging in the Great Lakes. The MATOC is designed to provide greater flexibility and expedite the bid solicitation-award process for dredging in Great Lakes commercial shipping channels and harbors.
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Press Release, June 17, 2013