Dredging the Bush River & Otter Point Creek

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (December 22, 2009) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterway Improvement Fund has provided state funding to Harford County to dredge areas in the Bush River and Otter Point Creek. The project will provide access for hundreds of recreational boaters to two popular boat ramps and a marina.

“This is a long awaited project for local boaters and will greatly enhance access to these popular waterways,” said DNR Boating Services Director Bob Gaudette.

An estimated 20,000 cubic yards of dredge material will be removed from several channels and spurs. A dredged material placement (DMP) site in Perryman has been constructed to receive the materials. The total cost of the project, including the DMP site, will be approximately $2.2 million.

Dredging of the main channels is expected to be completed by December 31. Dredging of the spurs and marina basin should be complete by February 15, 2010. Access and navigation in these popular areas will be improved for recreational boaters well in advance of the next boating season.

“Harford County is excited to see this dredging project being completed,” said Paul Magness of the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation. “It was a long permitting process and we worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure appropriate environmental precautions are being taken. Thousands of commercial and recreational boaters will directly benefit from this work as it will enhance water access at the public and private boat launch sites along the channel.”

The dredging is financed through the Waterway Improvement Fund, the revenues of which come from the 5 percent vessel excise tax that is paid when a boat is titled in Maryland. To learn more about the Waterway Improvement Fund grants administered by DNR’s Boating Services