OC harbor dredging may see additional study

What is causing the commercial fishing harbor in West Ocean City to fill up with sand?

If things go Rep. Mary Beth Carozza’s (R-38C-Wicomico-Worcester) way, there may be an answer by next year.

Earlier this year, the mounting issue of the harbor’s depth came to a head and Carozza organized a stakeholder meeting to address it. Parts of the Inlet and harbor were filling up with sand every few months, watermen said, and maintenance dredging wasn’t keeping pace.

Carozza announced on Sept. 28 that a Federal Interest Determination is due at the end of the year. If there is sufficient reason, the Army Corps of Engineers will then model the way water moves around the Inlet and harbor to determine potential solutions to the shoaling problem.

That study would be funded solely with federal money, according to a press release.

Once that study is complete, the Corps could consider dredging the harbor to a maximum depth of 16 feet, 2 feet deeper than current restrictions. That solution could provide immediate relief to watermen who are having trouble bringing their boats into the sandy harbor.

Commercial Fisherman Kerry Harrington said there has been some dredging of the harbor this summer, which has helped, though large boats still run into shoals if the tide is too low.

“It’s better than it was,” he said.

Harrington said he hopes the harbor will continue to be maintained through the winter.

This story will be updated.

rpacella@dmg.gannett.com

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On Twitter @rachaelpacella