By Hank Russell
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has written a letter to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to immediately start dredging the Mattituck Inlet. He said the delays of this project has led to a decrease in commercial and recreational fishing.
In a copy of the letter obtained by Long Island Life & Politics, Romaine implored USACE Commander and District Engineer Alexander Young to begin the dredging project, describing the inlet as “a critical navigation and community asset on the North Fork in Suffolk County.” He also noted it is “the only harbor between Port Jefferson and Greenport, serving as a harbor of refuge during severe weather, supporting recreational use and commercial marinas, as well as providing access for fishing and boating.”
Citing recent hydrographic surveys and local reports, ROmaine said the buildup of sand has “severely shoaled” the inlet, adding the channel is required to maintain water level depths of at least seven feet at low tide. The dredging, which was slated for this fall, has been postponed until this fall, citing “equipment delays and shipyard issues” with the USACE’s vessel.
“The buildup of sand is not a minor inconvenience — it has already created areas within the inlet that are dangerously shallow for navigation and has formed a pseudo-beach inside the inlet, creating unpredictable currents that pose hazards to swimmers and boaters alike,” Romaine wrote.
“Shoaling has narrowed parts of the inlet and reduced channel depth, impacting local recreational boating and commercial activity at Strong’s Marina and other operations,” Romaine added. “Timely dredging will help ensure safe navigation for commercial and recreational vessels, supporting the economic vitality of Mattituck and surrounding communities.”
LILP has reached out to USACE, asking when dredging will begin, and is waiting to hear back.