The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Norfolk District has awarded Houston based Dredgit Environmental Corporation a $520,070 contract to perform maintenance dredging along the Chincoteague Bay Federal Navigation Channel.
The company will be responsible for removing approximately 10,000 cubic yards of material to bring the channel to a minimum depth of 6 feet.
Commenting the latest announcement, Chris Turner, Norfolk District project manager , said: “This vital navigation project provides access into Chincoteague Bay, Chincoteague Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean for commercial fishing vessels, charter fishing boats and private interests, and has a tremendous amount of economic impact to the eastern shore.”
The channel is a protected harbor for small boats on Chincoteague Bay in Accomack County near the Virginia-Maryland border. Dredging will occur in the approach channel and L-shaped harbor basin to a required depth of 6 feet, with a foot of paid allowable overdepth.
The channel sediments, comprised of mostly fine-grained material, will be placed into an upland- placement site adjacent to the federal navigation channel, said USACE.
Contract maintenance dredging is required every 5-7 years to maintain congressionally authorized depths and ensure safe navigation.
According to USACE, the channel was last dredged in 2009.