Massachusetts DOT Seeks Permit to Dredge in Cohasset Narrows

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Highway Division is seeking a permit from the USACE, New England District, to conduct work in waters of the U.S. in conjunction with dredging in Cohasset Narrows.

The proposed work involves the dredging of 1,341 cubic yards of material over a 33,791-square-foot area across four separate locations within the Cohasset Narrows, adjacent to the new William H. Dalton Memorial Bridge in Bourne and Wareham, Mass.

MassDOT is proposing to dredge these locations in order to remove accumulated sediment that may have resulted from contractor means and methods used during construction of the new bridge, and return these areas to their pre-bridge construction conditions.

Dredging will be performed by an excavator with a hydraulic clamshell bucket, supported on a work platform consisting of sectional floats pinned together. Sediment will be dewatered on a scow barge supported by spud piles, and then transferred to an upland disposal site.

All dredging work will be conducted behind a silt boom and curtain.

This project will impact approximately 0.8 acre of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for various species and life stages. This habitat consists primarily of sandy substrate. Loss of this habitat may adversely affect these species.

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.

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