NWPC maintenance dredging on the way

The Charlotte County has just released the latest update on the North West Port Charlotte (NWPC) Interior Canal maintenance dredging.

The North West Port Charlotte MSBU Advisory Board has brought concerns to Charlotte County staff about restricted depths and safe navigation on the landward ends of their canals, including potential high spots located in the Markham, Cheshire, Apollo, Ingersol, Jupiter and Bayshore Waterways.

Previous dredge events include spot dredging of the interior waterways in 2009 and the access channel restoration dredge in 2004.

This new request was first initiated in 2018 and was going to be a select spot dredge.

The project was shelved for some time due to a lack of a quorum with the MSBU Advisory Board.

In the second half of 2020, the board gained new members and discussions of dredging continued. The request for a new dredge project remained and a motion was approved to move forward with a more comprehensive dredge project to -3.5’MLW (Mean Low Water).

County staff and Coastal Engineering Consultants have reengaged in this design and permitting project with an increases scope of work.

The end result will be a maintenance dredge along sections of the canals listed above, to restore depth and safe navigation for boaters.

Coastal will prepare final construction plans and bids specs and will apply for notice of exemptions with state permitting agencies.

Once this design work is concluded, the dredging will go out to bid, and a successful low contracting bidder will be awarded to carry out the dredging.