A plan to dredge a popular recreational boating destination has expanded in scope and is moving forward.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYC Economic Development Corporation recently met with community stakeholders to discuss the long-awaited plan to dredge Hammond’s Cove in Throggs Neck.
According to attendees, the current iteration has expanded the project’s scope in order to make the silt removal effective for a longer period of time.
The $1.5 million dredge is now expected to begin sometime later this year, most likely in the fall when it will not disrupt the boating season for the cove’s two marinas.
DEC, the state agency stewarding the project, and EDC, which undertook and completed the feasibility study in 2017 and 2018, met on Thursday, May 17 with representatives from the Locust Point Yacht Club and Hammond’s Cove Marina and Senator Jeff Klein’s office.
Findings and an implementation strategy concerning the dredging were shared, according to NYCEDC.
DEC provided technical assistance and helped facilitate the meeting, according to the state agency.
Klein provided $150,000 to fund the study, and allocated an additional $500,000 in this year’s budget to pay for an expanded dredging area, which the study showed was desirable to avoid having to repeat the dredging after a small number of years, said a Klein spokeswoman.
In total, Klein allocated $1.5 million to the project, and the senator stated that he was proud that the financial commitment made the dredging a reality and that he is looking forward to completing the project.
“I am excited that all of the pieces are finally in place to begin the dredging project for Hammond’s Cove,” said Senator Klein. “This has been a project that the community has been asking for over many years and has been sorely needed for our marinas and coastal communities.”
The project had been a top Community Board 10 capital budget request on multiple occasions over the past decade.
A key component that brought everyone to an agreement was the decision to dredge to a depth of six feet at low tide, said Pat Devine, a LPYC member/former CB 10 member and Justin Dambinskas, operator of the Hammond’s Cove Marina.
“Everything is already rolling now,” said Devine, adding “It was a good meeting and everyone walked away feeling really up.”
Material removed from the cove may be sent to Connecticut, said Devine.
“I think the project is finally on track,” said Dambinskas.
He said that in addition to agreeing on the six-foot standard, he was pleased that the dredging permit can be renewed for up to eight years so that the scope of the dredging could be easily expanded should additional funds become available.
According to DEC, the current plan calls for the dredging of 9,500 cubic yards of material from the anchorage, inlet and head of Hammond’s Cove.
The next step is to finalize the project plans and submit the necessary environmental permits, according to DEC.
According to EDC, the organization is now proceeding with permitting the dredging of Hammond’s Cove and looks forward to assisting the local community to improve vessel navigational access at the inlet.
