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A Daily News Service of the North Carolina Coastal Federation

Input Sought on Eliminating Dredge Window

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The dredge McFarland, one of four oceangoing hopper dredges owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, conducts dredging in Morehead City 2018. Photo: Corps

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing year-round maintenance hopper dredging and bed leveling for the Wilmington and Morehead City harbors and the Division of Coastal Management is accepting comments on the proposal until Nov. 25.

Related: Corps Asks State to Eliminate Dredge Window
DCM, under the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, gave notice Monday that public review and comment are invited on the proposed federal action. A description of the Federal Consistency determination is on the division website.

The proposal would remove the Dec. 1 to April 15 environmental dredging window for maintenance dredging and bed leveling for the state harbors, according to the Corps. Removing the window will allow more flexibility and increase efficiency in maintaining the harbors while improving navigability and safety.

DCM is considering if the proposed federal action is consistent with the enforceable policies of the State’s Coastal Management Program. DCM is inviting the public to offer comments on the proposed changes to help with the evaluation.

Submit written comments by Nov. 25 to Daniel Govoni, Federal Consistency Coordinator, 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, N.C. 28557, or by email to Daniel.Govoni@ncdenr.gov. Comments will be considered in developing the state’s consistency response. Notice of the decision regarding this matter will be provided upon request.

About Staff Report

The story was compiled by staff members of Coastal Review.

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