Massachusetts DCR Seeks USACE’s Permit for Nantasket Beach Works

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking a permit from USACE’s New England District to conduct work in waters of the U.S. in conjunction with the placement of dredged sand onto Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass.

Image source: USACE

According to USACE, this work is proposed in Massachusetts Bay/Nantasket Beach from State Park Road to Phipps Street in Hull.

Proposed work involves placement of 372,900 cubic yards of sand below the high tide line (HTL) on Nantasket Beach.

Sand will cover 2.26 million square feet (52 acres) below the HTL at depths ranging up to 3.6 feet. Sand will be sourced from a dredging project on the Piscataqua River in New Hampshire and Maine sponsored by USACE.

Vessels (tug/scows) with sand will make multiple trips between the Piscataqua River site and Nantasket Beach to reload with sand. The sand will be pumped to shore from a barge (carrying the pump) anchored approximately 2,600 feet from shore.

The frequency of trips by the tugs/scows will be determined by the dredging schedule at the Piscataqua River site.

At some point in the future the applicant intends to place an additional 322,000 cubic yards of sand on Nantasket Beach – the source and timing of this nourishment is not known and therefore not part of this permit review.

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