The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with local sponsor Port of Bellingham, will begin maintenance dredging of the Squalicum Waterway November 20.
According to the Corps, heavy sedimentation has caused a navigation hazard in Squalicum Waterway which threatens continued use by commercial vessels loading and off-loading cargo without maintenance dredging.
USACE awarded this contract to Curtin Maritime Corp. of Long Beach, California, for $2.2 million.
During the works, approximately 250,000 cubic yards of material will be dredged from the outer channel and disposed of at the Rosario Strait Open Water Disposal Site near Anacortes, Washington.
An additional 4,000 cubic yards of material will be dredged from the inner channel and disposed of at the Port Gardner Open Water Disposal Site near Everett, Washington.
Prior to dredging, the material is tested and the Corps prepares a biological evaluation in accordance with the Endangered Species Act.
The duration of the project will be approximately 45 days.