Posted on June 26, 2024
FIRE ISLAND, NY– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New York District announces the awarding of Contract for the Maintenance Dredging of Fire Island Inlet and Shores Westerly to Jones Beach. The contract, valued at $36,978,060, was awarded to Norfolk Dredging Company, based in Chesapeake, VA.
This essential multi-purpose project includes the maintenance of a navigation channel at least 250 feet wide and to a minimum depth of -10 feet Mean Low Water Datum. In addition to providing a critical navigation channel, the project offers significant coastal storm risk management benefits.
This contract will hydraulically dredge 1.25 million cubic yards of sand from Fire Island Inlet and strategically place it along the Gilgo Beach shoreline on Jones Island, nourishing the beaches westward towards Jones Inlet, addressing critical erosion areas. Work is expected to begin in Fall 2024.
“The maintenance dredging of Fire Island Inlet is a vital project that supports both navigation, commerce, and coastal resilience,” said Colonel Alex Young, Commander of the USACE New York District. “This project exemplifies our commitment to ensuring safe navigation channels while simultaneously providing crucial coastal storm risk management benefits to the community.”
The navigation channel was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937, with subsequent modifications in the Acts of 1950, 1958, and 1962, which added coastal storm risk management components, making this a unique multi-purpose project.
Fire Island Inlet serves as the homeport to USCG Station Fire Island, supports a fleet of 35 commercial charter boats, and includes a state park marina. Despite its lack of commercial navigation, the inlet is a heavily used recreational ocean inlet with a high shoal rate. The barrier beach protects Great South Bay, a significant wildlife habitat area, home to many threatened shorebirds.
The inlet was last dredged in 2022-23, with approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of sand placed at Gilgo Beach. Previous maintenance dredging cycles were completed in Winter 2018-19 and Winter 2013-14, addressing erosion and storm damage.
About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, is responsible for the federal water resources development in New Jersey, New York, and parts of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The District is committed to delivering vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with partners, to secure the nation, energize the economy, and reduce risk from disaster.
