Ocean City dredge permit renewed

The City of Ocean City, New Jersey, announced last week that state regulators have renewed a dredging permit for Ocean City’s bay waters, including both private and public areas, for another five years. 

Set to expire in April, the permit now will extend until 2028.

According to a news release from the city, the island-wide approach to dredging is a key element to its sustainability program. 

“The city’s maintenance dredging at our lagoons and waterways will begin in mid-January,” said Jay A. Gillian, Ocean City Mayor.

“Owners can use the permit to dredge their private boat slips at their own expense, and I want to urge everybody to do so. The more material we can remove from our lagoons, the easier it will be to maintain navigable depths.”

The city approved a $10.945 million bond ordinance in August that includes $2.5 million for dredging.

That involves not only the physical dredging of the area, but also the permitting and engineering, as well as preparing and emptying a disposal site (dredge materials).