USA: Corps, Maine DOT Postpone Public Meeting on Searsport Dredging

Due to an approaching snowstorm in the region, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, and the Maine Department of Transportation have postponed the Water Quality Certification Pre-application public informational meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Belfast on the proposed improvement dredging plan for the Searsport Harbor Federal Navigation Project in Searsport, Maine.

An approaching snowstorm, projected snowfall of 4 to 8 inches in Belfast, and public concern voiced about people not being able to get to the meeting, were considerations in postponing the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the public of the project proposal and its anticipated environmental impacts and to advise the public of opportunities for public comment to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the University of Maine in Belfast.

The public informational meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, located at 80 Belmont Avenue in Belfast, Maine. Doors will open at noon and the meeting will be held from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

The selected project would deepen the existing entrance channel and turning basin from a depth of -35 feet to -40 feet at mean lower low water. In addition, the entrance channel, currently 500 feet wide at its narrowest point, will be widened to 650 feet, and a maneuvering area adjacent to State Pier’s east berth in Long Cove will be created.

Dredged material will be disposed of at the identified disposal site in Penobscot Bay. With the proposed project, deep draft vessels will be able to access the port more efficiently, and transportation costs for goods arriving at the port would be reduced.

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Press Release, March 25, 2014