Representative Scott Dianda yesterday announced that the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has agreed to pay for the emergency dredging of Lake Superior’s Grand Traverse Bay Harbor in Schoolcraft Township.
Stamp sand has again nearly completely blocked the harbor and stopped boat traffic, potentially harming the region’s fishing industry.
“Residents can’t afford to lose money on fishing or tourism, so dredging the harbor quickly is the best thing to do for the Keweenaw economy,” said Dianda.
Stamp sand is a continuing problem and state officials and the Army Corps of Engineers are working on a long-term solution.
In 2015, Grand Traverse Bay Harbor was dredged, and 4,500 cubic yards of stamp sand was removed. This year, dredging will take out 9,000 cubic yards of stamp sand. The money to pay for the dredging operation will come from the DNR’s Waterways Fund.
Once the sand is removed, it will be disposed of on a beach area adjacent to state forest land.