Cape towns receive $3.2 million to dredge Stage Harbor and other ports

CHATHAM – With a backdrop of recreational and commercial fishing boats moored in Stage Harbor, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced state funding for five dredging projects on the Cape.

The announcement came following a meeting of the Seaport Economic Council Tuesday.

Boaters in Stage Harbor will benefit from a $500,000 grant Chatham received through the Massachusetts Dredging Program.

The money will fund the dredging of an estimated 30,000 cubic yards from the entrance to Stage Harbor. Town Manager Jill Goldsmith called the harbor one of the town’s important deep-water ports which serves as another offloading location for the fishing fleet. She called the Seaport Economic Council a great partner.

"With this grant Chatham will have received nearly $3 million," Goldsmith said.

Chatham, Dennis, Harwich, Truro, Wellfleet get dredging funds

Dennis, Harwich, Truro, Wellfleet and Newburyport also received dredging grants. The six grants total $3.2 million with a non-state match of $3.6 million. All the Cape projects will ensure all-tide navigation, as well as create safer conditions for all users. Currently low tides in the harbors hamper or make travel in and out of the harbors impossible.

“These grants enhance the blue economy,” Polito said.

More: State announces $5 million for 9 dredge projects, 6 on Cape Cod

State Rep. Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown) said discussions between legislators and the administration about the need for regular and reliable funding for dredging projects started years ago. The saltwater dredging program was established in 2018.

Since then, the Massachusetts Dredging Program has awarded more than $19 million and leveraged an additional $25 million in matching funds for projects along the state’s shores, according to Ashley Stolba, undersecretary of community development.

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The state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development awarded the grants. Of the state's 78 coastal communities, 54 have received at least one grant, Polito said.

“We made the connection between the vitality of the economy in ports throughout coastal Massachusetts, and here on Cape Cod,” Peake said. “If boats can’t get in and out at low tide, that affects commercial and charter fishing, recreational boating, and public safety. If there’s an emergency outside of the harbor and the harbormaster and first responders can’t get there, we rely on the Coast Guard from Provincetown or Chatham to help.”

Restoring water quality in Wellfleet

Wellfleet received $2.5 million to remove 130,000 cubic yards of material from the South Anchorage. Dredging will also restore water quality for the 90 shellfish harvesters working 260 acres in Wellfleet Harbor. The shellfish industry brought in $5.5 million in commercial landings in 2020. This grant is the final phase of a dredging effort that has included $7.3 million in local and federal dredging since 2017. 

Discussions are underway between the town and the US Army Corps of Engineers before they can allow permitting for the dredging project. The Dredging Task Force will meet Aug. 1 and provide an update on those discussions.

Dennis received $87,000 for maintenance dredging of Sesuit Harbor. An estimated 15,000 cubic yards of sand will be removed from the harbor entrance channel. The harbor has a public and private marina and serves more than 350 vessels.

More: Dredging starts in Wellfleet

Dredging material used for beaches

The money represents the fourth grant Dennis has received. All of them have been used for maintenance dredging at Sesuit Harbor. Dennis Harbor Master Dawson Farber IV said the dredged material will be used for beach nourishment at Cold Storage Beach.

"Failure to (dredge) would result in grounding of larger vessels — both commercial and recreational — at periods of low tide," he wrote in an email. "Groundings pose both a public safety and environmental pollution threat."

Allen Harbor in Harwich will benefit from a $48,000 grant which will allow the removal of 8,000 cubic yards of sand from the entrance channel. The harbor is home to six commercial fishing boats, a private marina and more than 160 moorings and dock slips. 

More: Provincetown, Truro at the end of Cape Cod

Truro received $25,000 to remove 5,000 cubic yards of sand from the approach to Pamet Harbor, its only harbor. Shoaling has made navigation hazardous during low tide. The harbor supports 20 acres of shellfish farms, 73 moorings and a state boat ramp with parking for 130 vehicles. 

Newburyport received $40,000 for its dredging project.

"All of these harbors are important, all of them are little economic engines," Peake said.

Applications to the dredging program were evaluated in collaboration with staff at the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and the Seaport Economic Council, according to a statement from the Office of Housing and Economic Development.

The council also announced the awards of 19 other grants totaling $10.7 million. Those awards were for design and permitting, construction, bulkhead replacements, beach nourishment, engineering plans and a river walk construction project.

Contact Denise Coffey at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Massachusetts grants $3.2 million to dredge Cape harbors