Bath Iron Works is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, to conduct work in waters of the U.S. in conjunction with maintenance dredging in the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine.
According to the USACE’s latest release, Bath Iron Works is seeking to renew a previous 10-year permit to conduct periodic maintenance dredging activities associated with its shipbuilding operations in the Kennebec River in Bath.
“Corps permit NAE-2007-02528, issued Nov. 5, 2009, authorized Bath Iron Works to dredge up to 70,000 cubic yards at their dry dock sinking basin; up to 4,000 cubic yards at their dry dock landing grid; and up to 12,000 cubic yards at berthing piers 1, 2 and 3. Dredged material from the sinking basin has been disposed of downstream, at an inriver site just south of Bath at Bluff Head. Dredged material from the other sites has been disposed of at an upland, non-wetland location. This permit expires on Dec. 31, 2019,” said USACE in its announcement.
Dredge volumes are expected to remain the same on average but actual quantities for individual dredge events may vary depending on the frequency and degree of shoaling.
The first maintenance dredging event is proposed to occur during the winter of 2019/2020 (dry dock sinking basin, Pier 2, and the dry dock landing grid).
The deadline for submitting the comments on this dredging plan is September 5, 2019.