Nantucket Sound Dredging on the Table

Three Bays Preservation and Mass Audubon Society are seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District to impact waters of the U.S. in conjunction with dredging in Nantucket Sound and Cotuit Bay and placing sand on Dead Neck Sampson’s Island in Osterville, Mass.

The proposed work involves the dredging of 133,600 cubic yards of clean sand from a 218,400-square-foot area to a depth of -8 feet below mean low water (MLW).

The dredged material will be used for beach nourishment at the eastern end of Dead Neck Sampson’s Island, for dune restoration and to restore specific habitat restoration at various locations on Dead Neck Sampson’s Island.

The dredging portion of this project will impact approximately 218,400 square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect these species.

However, the Corps has made a preliminary determination that the site-specific adverse effect will not be substantial. Further consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding EFH conservation recommendations is being conducted and will be concluded prior to the final permit decision.