NEW YORK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, recently completed the Flushing Bay and Creek Federal Navigation Channel Maintenance Dredging Project, with the removal of approximately 135,000 cubic yards of dredged material.
“We’re proud to have completed this significant project on time, within budget and in an environmentally responsible manner," said Col. David Caldwell, commander, New York District. “As stewards of our Nation's waterways, we’ve improved the channel’s functionality, allowing for safe passage of vessels moving throughout the Flushing Bay and Creek federal navigable waters.”
New York District awarded a $10.1 million contract to Donjon Marine Co. Inc., Hillside, NJ, for the removal of dredged material in order to return the channel to its authorized depth of 15 feet. Portions of Flushing Bay and Creek have experienced shoaling from natural movement of sediments.
"The importance of dredging the Flushing Bay and Creek Federal Navigation Channel cannot be overstated," said Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx). "Not only does it improve the maneuverability and safety of these waters but it ensures that it can continue to receive the amount of activity it sees each year - whether it's from the many cargo ships passing through or from our NYPD Harbor Patrol Unit. I applaud Col. David Caldwell and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for making the maintenance of our bay a top priority and for their swift completion of this critical project."
The material dredged from the channel was a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. This material has been beneficially reused for placement at an upland site in Sayreville, NJ. A closed environmental clamshell bucket was used during the dredging project to ensure compliance with the State-issued Water Quality Certification.
"This project was critical to ensuring that ships and boats can properly maneuver through this important channel, and I thank the Army Corps for completing it," said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). "Flushing Bay is a critical waterway for Queens and the New York area, and improving the navigation for vessels will be a tremendous help in promoting everything from commerce to public safety. A little over a month ago, I joined Col. Caldwell and Army Corps officials for an excellent boat tour of the dredging. As a still new Member of Congress, it was my first tour of an Army Corps project, and I was very impressed. I look forward to working with the Corps on additional efforts to enhance and improve Flushing Bay and Creek."
The Flushing Bay Federal Channel supports 14 marine terminals that receive and ship sand, stone, and petroleum products by barge, with approximately 1,425,000 tons of cargo transported through the channel annually.
New York District is responsible for the Corps’ water resources development, navigation and regulatory activities in northeastern New Jersey, eastern and south-central New York State, and parts of Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The district is also responsible for design and construction at Army and Air Force installations in New Jersey, New York, and Greenland. The District also provides support following disasters and for the Global War on Terror.