U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer yesterday announced that the USACE expects to award the contract to dredge the Rochester Harbor next week, and the harbor dredging operations are expected to begin in May 2016.
Schumer said that this dredging will enable the harbor to continue serving as a vital passageway for the City of Rochester, which greatly relies on a clear harbor to generate nearly $10 million annually in recreational benefits and support more than 140 local jobs.
Keeping the port dredged is also critical for public safety, as the Rochester Harbor is a designated Critical Harbor of Refuge for Great Lakes vessels and the base of operations for the U.S. Coast Guard Station Rochester, the senator added.
“This marina plays a key role in the local economy, and keeping this critical channel navigable and maintained will clear the way for increased job creation and economic development for generations to come, ” said Senator Schumer.
“Continued dredging will make the Port more attractive for commerce, including small cruise lines and other Great Lakes boaters, which will bring more tourist dollars and the jobs they create to our city, ” added Mayor of Rochester, Lovely A. Warren.
The harbor was last dredged in 2014, when 200,000 cubic yards of material were removed from Sandy-impacted areas, and is in need of dredging to remain clear for commerce and recreation.
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