Posted on March 13, 2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District is proposing maintenance dredging of the channel and anchorages of the Narraguagus River Federal Navigation Project (FNP). By state law, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is required to provide the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) with an assessment of the impacts on the fishing industry of a proposed dredging operation.
The project provides a 150-foot-wide channel authorized to a depth of 11-feet mean lower low water (MLLW) from deep water in Narraguagus Bay to Wyman, then 9-feet deep by 100-feet wide to the lower town landing at Milbridge, and then 6-feet deep by 100-feet wide to the larger upper town landing downstream from the Route 1A bridge, with a small turning basin at the head of the channel. Details on the dredge operation and proposed haul route can be found on the DMR website at maine.gov/dmr/sites/maine.gov.dmr/files/inline-files/Milbridge_FY19.pdf.
In lieu of a hearing, DMR will accept written comments about the potential impacts of the proposed dredging operation on fishing in the area to be dredged, and impacts to the fishing industry of the proposed route to transport the dredge spoils to the Douglas Island Disposal Site. Comments should be sent by 5 p.m. April 5 to EnvironmentalReview.DMR@maine.gov or DMR, Attn: Environmental Permit Review, 21 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
The Department will hold a hearing if requested by five or more persons by the comment deadline.
