Hearing on SouthCoast Wind Energy dredge application set for February 22

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Office of Customer and Technical Assistance (OCTA) will host a public comment hearing on the application request of SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC for a State of Rhode Island Dredge Permit on February 22.

According to OCTA, this permit includes a State of Rhode Island Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act and in accordance with Rules and Regulations for Dredging and the Management of Dredge Materials and State Water Quality Regulations.

The project is located in the Sakonnet River and Mount Hope Bay in Portsmouth.

The proposed work in the area will involve dredging of approximately 1,867 cubic yards (CY) of sediment from eight horizontal directional drilling (HDD) pits for a total of approximately 14,936 CY of dredging. 

The hearing is set to take place from 6-10 PM, at the Portsmouth High School Auditorium, 120 Education Lane, Portsmouth, Rhode Island.