Selectmen Approve First Phase of Study to Dredge Old Sandwich Harbor

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SANDWICH – Sandwich selectmen have given the okay for engineers to begin the first phase in the dredging of Old Sandwich Harbor.

The Woods Hole Group is working with the town on the project, which would see the dredging of the Harbor and placing the sediment onto Town Neck Beach.

The group would also look to address the Town’s concerns with the overall health of the system, ability for existing channels to convey tidal flow and impacts on shellfish beds.

“What it might enable us to do is to work with the county dredge because they could go in the back and the cost for that is far less expensive than if we had to dredge at sea or at the canal,” said Town Manager Bud Dunham.

The first phase consists of reviewing existing information, conducting an ecological habitat assessment including a shellfish survey, field data collection and holding a regulatory meeting.

Phase two would consist of a hydrodynamics assessment and alternative development and analysis, while phase three would feature engineering design and plans and environmental permitting.

The Woods Hole Group is evaluating the potential for the project and if they find that the volume of material is limited in phase one, then they will cancel the next phases.

“The nice part about it is we don’t go to phase two unless everyone’s okay with what we heard in phase one and it makes sense to go forward,” said Dunham.

The total cost for phase one is $48,800 and if it goes forward, phase two and three would cost $66,000 and $70,000 respectively.

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter

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