Cotuit Dredge Milestones:

• 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 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.

 The Barnstable Clean Water Coalition 

Audubon

Dead Neck Sampsons Island Dredging/Renourishment Project

VIEW  HERE

News HERE