After Push by Schumer and Bishop, Army Corps Commits $1.1 Million for Expedited Lake Montauk Dredging

Press Release

Schumer, Bishop Called on Army Corps to Immediately Dredge Inlet to Allow Safe Passage by Fishing Fleet; Sand Build-Up Threatens Boats and Could Result in Docking at Out-of-State Ports

Army Corps Announces Dredging Will Begin in September, Two Years Ahead of Schedule; Will Also Investigate Potential to Dredge Deeper and Wider and Use Sand to Protect Montauk Beaches and Buildings Threatened By Erosion

Schumer, Bishop: Army Corps Funding Will Provide Huge Relief for Local Economy and Fishing Industry

United States Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Tim Bishop announced today that the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has agreed to allocate $1.1 million to dredge the Lake Montauk this September, protecting fishing vessels from significant delays and damage from shoaling. The agency has also agreed to allocate $172,000 to continue their feasibility study to explore the possibility of dredging a deeper, wider channel to accommodate larger commercial fishing vessels and using sand from the dredging to protect beaches and structures west of Montauk Lake. Today's announcement comes after Schumer and Bishop wrote a letter to the USACE in January requesting the Corps expedite their time-line for dredging, instead of waiting until Fiscal Year 2013 as originally planned. Schumer and Bishop said that this announcement was great news for local fishing industry and would provide a huge relief for the local economy.

"With today's announcement, local fishermen who have suffered through huge sand-build ups in Lake Montauk finally have some good news: help is on the way," said Schumer. "By beginning dredging in September, instead of two years down the road, the Army Corps of Engineers will be able to insure safety and keep business open for our Montauk fishing fleet. On top of that, exploring the possibility of expanding the channel to accommodate bigger boats and protecting local beaches and buildings in Montauk from erosion makes this announcement a win-win for local fisherman and residents."

"The jobs in New York's fishing industry and the economic health of Montauk depend on an accessible and safe Lake Montauk, and securing federal funds for this emergency dredge is key to continuing the economic recovery in the area. The fact that the sand dredged from the harbor will be used to bolster hard hit beaches and protect nearby homes makes this project especially worthwhile," said Bishop.

Sand build-up in Montauk Lake went from bad to worse this winter as a result of a series of storms, leading to significant delays for boats attempting to dock in the harbor, forcing some to dock elsewhere, and even leading some ships to suffer damage when scraping the bottom of the Lake. Despite the urgent need for dredging, the Army Corps of Engineers' fiscal cycle would not have resulted in the dredging until Fiscal Year 2013 -- a significant delay that would leave local ships in harm's way and hurt the local economy.

Schumer and Bishop wrote a letter to the Army Corps in January urging them to expedite their dredging schedule. They also requested that the Army Corps investigate the possibility of using sand from the dredging to address imperiled structures west of the Lake in front of Soundview Drive and Captain Kidd's Path in Montauk that are threatened because of worsening erosion. With today's announcement, the Army Corps has agreed to both of Schumer and Bishop's requests, and Schumer and Bishop said that is represented a major victory for the local economy and the local fishing industry.

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