The United States Army Corps of Engineers’ work plan for Fiscal Year 2017 includes $4.2 million for maintenance dredging of the interior channel of Bodega Bay, located about 60 miles north of San Francisco, the County of Sonoma said in its latest release.
“ The county’s federal legislative program delivered a homerun with securing over $4 million for much needed Bodega Bay dredging,” said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman, Shirlee Zane.
“The county appreciates the support of Congressmen Huffman and Thompson and others who helped deliver this funding and is grateful to former Regional Parks Director Caryl Hart for her advocacy efforts in this competitive funding process. This is another great example of how our region is working together to deliver federal funding for local projects that support our economy and strategic priorities.”
Bodega Bay’s Operations and Maintenance schedule provides for periodic inspection and repair of three breakwaters and infrequent (11-year cycle) maintenance dredging of the Federal Channel to a depth of 12 feet.
Recent sounding surveys indicate that shoaling, or a growing mound of sediment, is occurring and dredging is required.
The last dredging episode was in 2004, with the entire 120,000 cubic yards of materials disposed of at a Deep Offshore Disposal Site located approximately 60 miles from Bodega Bay.
“Not only does this funding support the community in Sonoma County’s 5th District, but its impact will have ripple effects on the entire North Coast which relies on Bodega Bay as a major transportation hub for commercial and sport fishing, recreational crafts, and the U.S. Coast Guard’s search-and-rescue station,” added Sonoma County Supervisor, Lynda Hopkins.
Bodega Bay is the center of the county’s commercial and sport fishing industries, which exist by virtue of the federal channel leading to Bodega Harbor. Sonoma County Regional Parks manages three Bodega Bay marinas (Spud Point, Mason’s and the Sport Fishing Center at Porto Bodega) and two parks and campgrounds on the Bay (Doranand Westside).
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