Delaware Governor John Carney, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester said that steps are underway for beach nourishment projects in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District awarded a contract to Weeks Marine of Cranford, N.J. for $23.8 million to conduct periodic nourishment on three dune and beachfill projects along the Delaware coast.
The contract is a joint effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
The costs of the project will be shared by the federal government and the state of Delaware, and has been a priority of the Congressional delegation because it will help protect the homes, businesses and the economy on coastal Delaware.
“Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the country, and our coast is vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” said Governor Carney.
“While we work to reduce those impacts, we also have to adapt to protect our residents, economy, and infrastructure, and beach replenishment is a big part of that effort. Beach replenishment, which is a partnership between the state and federal governments, is necessary to preserve tourism, one of our largest economic sectors, as well as to protect the safety of our communities and residents.”
The contract calls for dredging sand from offshore borrow sites. Sand is then pumped through a series of pipes, placed on beaches, and graded into an engineered dune and berm template, which is designed to reduce damages from coastal storm events.
The contract includes the following work: