Posted on May 3, 2021
The Long Island Intercoastal Waterway and Moriches Inlet pose significant safety issues for boaters, Rep. Lee Zeldin says.
LONG ISLAND, NY — Citing safety hazards for mariners, Rep. Lee Zeldin has called upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with an emergency dredge of both the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway and Moriches Inlet.
The waterways are “vital arteries for our vibrant coastal economy of marinas, restaurants, recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, and all of the small businesses that support these industries,” Zeldin said. “Failure to properly maintain these key channels will not only endanger public safety, but also harm local businesses. Unsafe navigational conditions become a greater threat as we approach the summer season which typically attracts more users.”
Zeldin said he was calling for the dredge after hearing from local boaters about how unsafe the waterways were. Zeldin also joined with Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Commander Captain Eva Van Camp and her team to survey shoaling.
“It is essential that this waterway receives an emergency designation so that this critical project will not be left at the bottom of the queue to compete with other waterways,” Zeldin said.