PHOTO COURTESY: Harwich Harbormaster
HARWICH – The proposed reconstruction of Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port will be put on hold for a year due to permitting issues.
The project, which was expected to start in October, calls for the dredging of about 15,000 cubic yards of material and replacing all the docks and piles with a new dock system.
Harwich Harbormaster John Rendone said further biological testing of the harbor must be done after sand samples found contaminants.
“That’s going to take anywhere from three to six months to do,” Rendone said.
Original plans called for the dredged material to be placed in Cape Cod Bay which will now be unavailable due to the contaminants.
“I think we’ll be able to dispose of it in Mass Bay which is north of Boston after this additional testing is done,” Rendone said.
Along with the contaminated material in the harbor and issues was found with the proposal for the new dock configuration.
A portion of the proposed docks extended into the federal anchorage area within the harbor.
“I think the reconfiguration will be approved, at least I am hopeful,” he Rendone said. “We already have a section of our west dock that’s been permitted to be in this federal navigation area so I don’t anticipate it will be turned down.”
Rendone said the delays will push the start of the project to next fall at the earliest.
“We just don’t have time to get the project out to bid and started come October,” he said.
The town has notified boat owners that boats will not have to be moved from the marina by October 15 and can remain in the harbor until the marina closes on November 15.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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