Town Trustee Dave Bergen presented an update on waterways to be dredged this season in Southold Town and offered advice on Dredging: The Path of Least Resistance.
To download presentation click here: SVAnnualInfoSessionDredging
Dave Bergen, Town Trustee
Dredging “The Path of Least Resistance”
SoutholdVOICE Annual Meeting
July 18, 2015
The permit process for Dredging can take 3 to 4 years because there are many levels of permit approval and environmental reviews.
Here is the process in a nutshell:
Step 1: SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (SCDPW)
Application to Dredge Screening Committee. Here is where the process begins to have a new site approved for dredging. The review includes location, impact on surrounding areas, diagram of proposed project, scope of project, coring samples, proposed material location and projected cost of project. Committee meets annually as needed.
If approved by the Screening Committee, the SCDPW prepares the permit applications to the NYDEC and Army Corp of Engineers (USACOE).
These approvals can take one to two years.
Each May, SCDPW requests from the five East End Towns their dredging priority lists for sites that have been approved for dredging. Each site must include a diagram of the location showing soundings and shoaling. These lists are due in June.
SCDPW determines locations to be dredged in October.
When Does Dredging takes place?
October 15 – December 15 in Critical Environmental Habitat areas.
Dredging can continue until January 15 for all other areas.
One additional week of dredging allowed by agencies the first week of June.
Step 2: New York DEC Permit
Application requires full environmental review.
Requirements could include copy of Essential Fish Habitat Report, hydrographic coring, full engineering drawing, history of previous dredging, details of material location site, littoral drift, and consideration for coastal zone management impact plus additional reviews.
Permit will include conditions related to site access, no disturbance to vegetated tidal wetlands, storage of equipment, channel slide slopes, location and size limitations of dredge material, protection for nesting area, winter flounder windows, site restoration plus additional requirements.
Step 3: Army Core of Engineer Permit
Application requires full environmental review. Requirements include copy of detailed project description, Essential Fish Habitat Report, full engineering drawing, history of previous dredging, details of material location site, full review by additional agencies including NY Department of State, US Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries plus posting for thirty days public comment period sent to over thirty organizations in addition to neighbors, notification to Town Board and posting in local paper.
Step 4: Southold Board of Trustee Permit
This is the last step and happens quickly.
For more information, please contact SOUTHOLDVOICE at info@southoldvoice.com
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