Fenwick Island’s Dredging Project has Begun!
FENWICK ANNOUNCES THE START OF THE DREDGING PROJECT
For close to a decade, the Town of Fenwick Island has been developing plans to dredge two boating channels in Little Assawoman Bay that have been negatively impacted by sedimentation build-up which has reduced the navigability of the channels and significantly decreased the safety of the boating community. Through the help of numerous legislators and community partners, the Town is pleased to announce that dredging will formally begin by Monday, October 14th.
The overall project is focused on dredging the two boating channels which connect the canals of Fenwick Island with the main North-South channel on the western edge of Little Assawoman Bay. The dredged material (which primarily consists of sand) will be placed on a nearby parcel of land that is being developed for a luxury residential community. Numerous sampling efforts and surveys have been performed to support the required permits to allow this project to proceed and all samplings have found the material safe for use.
Efforts are currently underway to prepare the upland location to receive the dredged material as well as prepare the dredging barge and pipeline corridor to start the project. Fenwick currently expects dredging to begin by Monday, October 14 in the “North Channel” and then transition to start work in the “South Channel” by November 1. The entire “on-the-water” dredging work is projected to be completed by November 12.
The material will be contained in large geotubes for the drying process within the dewatering location. The goal is to have all of the dredging and related construction equipment fully demobilized by early December. Dredging activities are scheduled to occur from 7am to 7pm on Monday through Saturday; however, these times may be extended, if needed, as a result of unexpected delays such as weather.
The Town would like to acknowledge and express sincere appreciation for all of the support that has been provided to make this project a reality. In particular, the Carl M. Freeman Companies have been instrumental as they have allowed the dredged materials to be placed on their property and have worked tirelessly in support of Fenwick Island and the entire boating community. At the legislative level, Representative Ron Gray and Senator Gerald Hocker led the effort to obtain more than $1 million of state funding in support of this project. In addition, the Sussex County Council, following the lead of Michael Vincent and Doug Hudson, voted unanimously to provide $800,000 to ensure the successful completion of this project. Sussex County Chief Administrator, Todd Lawson, was a critically important facilitator who stepped up, at times on short notice, to ensure the successful completion of all required documentation and applications.
Bill Rymer, Chair of the Fenwick Island Dredging Committee, commented; “This is a great example of a successful public-private partnership to complete a project for the entire boating community and our small town of Fenwick Island. A lot of teamwork happened over the last few years and we sincerely appreciate the significant efforts by all of our partners. We are excited to be at this point and we look forward to the improvements in navigation and overall boater safety that will come as a result.”
Mayor Magdeburger, Mayor of Fenwick Island, applauded the efforts of Mr. Rymer and the Dredging Committee for working through the numerous permitting requirements as well as all of the private and governmental partners that allowed the longstanding project finally to come to fruition. “For those who boat to and from Fenwick Island, the completion of this project will significantly improve the navigability and safety of their journey. We ask that the residents of Fenwick Island and the surrounding communities bear with us during the disruptions that will come from these activities. Our goal is to get this project done quickly and safely so that the community can return to normal and begin enjoying the benefits from the project.”
Please check the Town’s Facebook and website for updates on the project.
