The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed an amendment to a federal bill that would enable the completion of a project to dredge the Essex River.
The amendment to the annual Energy Water Appropriations Bill, offered by Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, which passed Sept. 3, calls for an increase in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Operation and Maintenance account of $3 million to be used by the Corps to complete the Essex River Federal Navigation Project.
The Corps began dredging the river in October, but the engineering firm hired for the project was unable to finish the work. The goal of the project, originally estimated to cost $3.7 million to $4.4 million, is expected to improve navigation at all tidal stages for boaters on the federally managed river, which is an estuary.
Low tide has been an ongoing safety concern as town leaders have said boats used by the harbormaster can’t get out and the Coast Guard can’t get in.
Moulton’s amendment emphasizes the need for the Corps to prioritize the completion of the project and fulfill its commitment to the community, according to a statement from Moulton’s office.
“I’m not going to stop fighting until the Essex River is dredged to the level required by our boaters and first responders,” Moulton said in the prepared statement. “The federal government must finish the jobs it starts and funding must be allocated to complete dredging the Essex River as soon as possible.”
Decades of sediment buildup narrowed the river channel, creating dangerous conditions for marine traffic, small boats and emergency responders. The last time the river was dredged before this project was 37 years ago, according to Moulton.
The ongoing hazards in the river not only threaten public safety, but also limit access for local businesses, particularly for those who rely on the river for commercial and recreational activities, he said.
Plans called for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer to mechanically dredge about 17,500 cubic yards of sand and silty material from the riverbed, However, the recent maintenance dredging contract revealed “substantially more shoaling than anticipated” — with 33,000 cubic yards of material to be removed compared with the 17,500 cubic yards expected, Craig Martin, senior project manager for the Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, said in July.
Moulton said he has been working on this project for nearly 10 years and that during that time, he has worked to pass legislation to re-designate the channel and also secured funding for the project.
“I am pleased to have the House back my efforts to make the Corps prioritize getting this done,” Moulton said.
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.