Mayor Lisa Crate is pleased to announce that phase 1 of a 2-part dredging program for Trader Coves Marina is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2024 and will run through December 31, 2024. As part of this project, portions of the USFW Forsythe Wildlife Refuge marsh will be restored and enhanced with dredge material.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
From November 1st to December 31st, phase 1 of a 2-part dredging and restoration project will occur at Trader Coves Marina and a portion of the USFW Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Brick Township. The dredging depth is approximately 3 feet, 6 feet below the mean high-water elevation. Dredge material will be placed in portions of the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge to restore and enhance the marsh. The dredge material has been tested and approved by the NJDEP (NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the USFW ( U.S. Fish and Wildlife) for placement on the marsh.
PROJECT GOALS:
Improved Navigation, Marsh Enhancement, Marsh Nourishment
DREDGE OPERATION AND PIPELINE:
A swinging ladder dredge will be utilized for channel dredging and a long-reach excavator on a barge will be used to remove material from within the Marina slips. Material will be dredged into the channel without breaking the surface of the water. A turbidity curtain will be used to surround the dredging operation. The construction management staff will prepare daily and weekly reports, track material quantities, and verify that dredging best management practices are being conducted to minimize environmental impacts, protect existing structures, and minimize disruption to surrounding residents while the material is being removed. The contractor will be conducting weekly drone monitoring of the restoration area.
The pipeline routes will avoid crossing or anchoring in locations that have been identified as shellfish lease location areas or SAV (Submerged Aquatic Vegetation) areas. All pipelines will be marked in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Submerged pipe outside of the navigable channel will be marked every 500 feet. Pairs of Polyform A2 45.6” buoys will be secured to the pipeline to provide flotation for the floating pipeline. A single row of yellow flashing lights will be visible at night and in periods of restricted visibility on the floating portions of the pipeline. They will be approximately equally spaced, and not more than 30 feet apart where the pipeline crosses the navigable channel. Where the pipe does not cross the navigable channel, the lights will be sufficient in number to clearly show the pipe’s length with two red lights at the end of the pipe. The proposed pipe routes, as indicated on the map, may be modified as necessary to account for channel conditions.
USFW FORSYTHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE RESTORATION:
Dredge material will be placed in portions of the marsh for restoration and enhancement. This will provide ecological benefits such as improving the habitat for threatened and endangered species including Salt Marsh Sparrow and Black Rail. Restoring and enhancing the marsh will also improve water quality. The material that will be dredged has been tested and approved by NJDEP and USFW for placement on the marsh.
MAP:
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS/APPROVALS:
NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit
NJDEP Water Quality Certificate
US Army Corps of Engineers Permit for Maintenance Dredging
US Army Corps of Engineers Permit for Marsh Sediment Enrichment
Ocean County Soil Conservation District Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Certification
TIMEFRAME:
October 15, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Dredging is expected to begin on or about November 1, 2024
Marina will close November 17th, 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: info@actengineers.com
USEFUL LINKS:
USACE Engineering with Nature: https://ewn.erdc.dren.mil/
USFW (U.S. Fish and Wildlife) : https://www.fws.gov/refuge/edwin-b-forsythe