Cotuit Dredge Milestones:

September 10, 2020DEAD NECK SAMPSON’S ISLAND DREDGING & BEACH NOURISHMENT PROJECT – PHASE 3 The Town of Barnstable, working with Barnstable County Dredge, will be starting Phase 3 of the Dead Neck Sampson’s Island Dredging & Beach Nourishment project on Monday, September 14^th. The project includes dredging of approximately 40,000 cubic yards of sand on the west end of the island, which will be re-used onsite for habitat and beach nourishment. Vessels for the transport of Barnstable County Dredge and general contractor employees will be anchored at the Cotuit Town dock for the duration of construction. Dredging operations are anticipated to begin on September 21, 2020 and anticipated to last through November 20, 2020, with beach nourishment activities anticipated to last through December 30, 2020. Weather pending, construction/dredging will be on-going, Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM until completion of this phase of the project. Boat operators in Cotuit Bay and the Seapuit River are encouraged to use caution when operating in this area during dredging and nourishment operations.
August 7, 2020 View Final Phase 3 Bid Invitation Documents and Information HERE
June 8, 2020 Town awarded $500,000 Grant from the 2020 Round of the Massachusetts Dredging Program from Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development for Phase 3
January, 2, 2020 View Process HERE
December 20, 2019 Phase 2 Completed ahead of schedule
September 26, 2019 Successful Bidder Awarded Phase 2 – Dig It Construction, $375,000

PHASE 2 OF DREDGING OF COTUIT BAY ENTRANCE CHANNEL AND WESTERN TIP OF SAMPSON’S ISLANDThe Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Massachusetts Audubon Society, and Barnstable County, will begin operations for Phase 2 of the dredging of the Cotuit Bay Entrance Channel and the western tip of Sampson’s Island during the week of October 15, 2019. Dredging is anticipated to commence on or about October 30^th. This work is a continuation of the work completed last year and will widen the existing channel by approximately an additional 130 feet. The dredged material will be utilized for beach nourishment purposes on the southern side of the eastern end of the island and for a habitat enhancement area. Weather pending, dredging operations will be on-going, Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM until completion of this phase of the project. Dredging operations will be completed by January 14, 2020.
February 1, 2019: Nourishment cleanup/Demobilization complete
January 22, 2019: View Barnstable County Sand Drifter Dredge HERE
January 15, 2019: Close of Permitted Dredge Window
Week of November 5, 2018: Dredging Operations commence. This phase of the project will widen the existing channel by approximately 130’ and the dredged material will be utilized for beach nourishment purposes on the southern side of the eastern end of the island (Dead Neck Beach) and for a habitat enhancement area. Weather permitting, dredging operations will be on-going, Monday – Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM until completion of this phase of the project. Dredging operations will be completed by January 15, 2019.
November 25, 2018: View Aerial Drone footage HERE
Week of October 22, 2018: Dredging operations commence
- Anticipate ±50 working days of dredging
- County dredge operates 6 days a week, 10 hours per day
October 16, 2018: Beginning of Permitted Dredge Window
Permit Public Comment Period 10/26-11/26/15
Week of October 15, 2018:
- County Dredge mobilization
- Contractor mobilization
- Contractor strips vegetation and builds dewatering pits
October 11, 2018: Anticipated bid close date
September 24, 2018: Notify Misc. Agencies of Project Start
September 20, 2018: Anticipated date to issue Invitation for Bid for dewatering/beach nourishment contractor
Week of September 10, 2018: Natural Resources to conduct shellfish survey
Update: August 25, 2018: The State awarded $3.6 million in grants to support ten dredging projects along the state’s coastline last week. The grants, awarded through 2018 Navigational Dredging Pilot Program, are expected to remove roughly 188,000 cubic yards of sediment from the harbors of eleven different communities.Barnstable has been granted $1,000,000 to remove 44,000 cubic yards of sediment and coastal dune from the Cotuit Bay channel, increasing its width by 50-percent. The 2018 pilot program awards communities funding on a competitive basis, emphasizing on shovel-ready projects that already have secured permits from the local, state, and federal levels. The program also requires a 50-percent match commitment from municipalities receiving the funding.Update: July 26, 2018: In the Matter of Three Bays Preservation, Inc. and Massachusetts Audubon Society, Docket No. 2017-020 The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Presiding Officer has ruled in favor of Three Bays Preservation, Inc. in an 84-page ruling. DEP Commissioner Suuberg now has 30 days to adopt and certify this decision. Contact Barnstable Clean Water Coalition HERE to see a copy of this Recommended Final Decision. Counsel advises that once certified, phase 1 dredging could begin on October 15^th as the permits allow. Among the many benefits of this restoration project, water quality, in Cotuit Bay, is expected to improve by three to seven percent. Great for people and birds! To date this permitting process has taken over six years at a cost of over one million dollars.