Salem Lateral Project Includes Dredging

Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC, 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 constructing a pipeline project in Beverly Harbor and Collins Cove in Salem, Mass.

The proposed project involves work, structures and the discharge of fill material below the high tide line of waters of the U.S. in order to construct the Algonquin Gas Salem Lateral Project.

The project includes the installation of 1.2 miles of new 16-inch diameter pipeline from the existing Hubline pipeline in Beverly Harbor to the Salem Harbor Electric Station to supply natural gas for electricity generation. The Salem Lateral Project begins at a new subsea tap connection with the Hubline pipeline and will run south to the Salem Harbor Electric Station.

The Salem Lateral will cross the marine areas of Beverly Harbor and Collins Cove using horizontal directional drilling to minimize impacts to the marine environment. The project will require the hydraulic dredging of an 85-foot by 55-foot area of the seafloor to a depth of -8.5 feet in Beverly Harbor.

Approximately 1,500 cubic yards of sediment will be excavated and placed in hopper barges for temporary storage and decanting. The decanted material will then be placed back into the cofferdam.

The public notice, with more specifics on the proposed work, can be viewed on the Corps website.

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Press Release, September 10, 2014