Ocean City Inlet deepening a step closer

Depth problems at the Ocean City Inlet and harbor are one step closer to a solution.

State Delegate Mary Beth Carozza announced May 19 that three nonfederal sponsors have been found to support deepening the Inlet to 14 feet, with a maximum depth of 16 feet.

In mid-April, Carozza organized a meeting between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other stakeholders to discuss problems commercial anglers were experiencing in the area. At the meeting, fishermen said the Inlet and harbor were filling up with sand faster than ever before, forcing some boats to leave the harbor entirely, damaging the local economy.

The state of Maryland, and the Worcester County and Ocean City governments have all agreed to sign a letter of intent, according to the release.

The letter will request the corps’ assistance in dredging the Inlet and harbor to a deeper standard, stating that the current 10 foot depth is insufficient because it fills in so fast.

“We respectfully request that you review and confirm the dramatic increase of shoaling in the Ocean City harbor and inlet area as soon as possible in order that immediate dredging relief can be provided to keep these commercial waterways open and safe, and to prevent further loss to the local commercial and recreational boating industry,” the letter states.

Fishermen have many different opinions on why the harbor is filling in at an accelerated rate — dredging is needed every few months, compared to the past when it was only needed every year or two, according to the corps’ Bob Blama.

The corps has been taking steps toward a detailed feasibility study for the project that would build on a 1998 study that suggested deepening the harbor, before funding for the project ran dry.

But some anglers said they wanted immediate action. With this letter of intent, they may get just that.

“We’re trying to find our quickest path forward for implementation of the project,” said Tony Clark, Army Corps of Engineers Continuing Authorities program manager.

The time frame is still something that needs to be worked out, Clark said. There will definitely be some re-evaluation of an environmental assessment and economic analysis, he added.

How detailed that work will be is in the hands of the North Atlantic Division of the corps, Clark said.

rpacella@dmg.gannett.com

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On Twitter @rachaelpacella