The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) will conduct a public hearing on the Searsport Harbor dredging project on June 9, 2015 at 6:00 PM, at the Searsport District High School, 24 Mortland Road, Searsport.
Pursuant to 38 M.R.S. §480-D, sub-§9, the DMR is required to provide the Maine Department of Environmental Protection with an assessment of the impacts on the fishing industry of a proposed dredging operation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has submitted a Navigation Improvement Project for the existing channel entrance and turning basin to Searsport Harbor.
The project would deepen the channel from -35 feet to -40 feet MLLW. The entrance channel would also be widened from 500 feet at its narrowest point to 650 feet, and a maneuvering area adjacent to State Pier’s east berth would be created.
The proposed dredged material, approximately 929,000 cubic yards of silty-clay, would be removed from the channel in scows and towed by tug to be deposited at the Penobscot Bay Disposal Site. Construction will be performed in accordance with environmental windows in order to avoid impacts to natural resources.
The DMR has determined to hold a public hearing on this proposal in order to receive comments solely on the impact to the fishing industry.
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