COUNTY CHOOSES SIMMS WHARF SITE FOR DREDGING DISPOSAL AREA

County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. announced today that the dredging spoils area known as “Simms Wharf” will be adequate to receive the material from the next round of dredging on the Wicomico River. Officials from the County, the Delmarva Water Transport Committee (DWTC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have determined that the spoil needs for the 2009/2010 projects can be met at existing sites. Mr. Pollitt said that “There is no need at this time to consider the excess county property at Pirate’s Wharf as a dredge spoils site. We now have some much-needed time to intensify the search for new dredge disposal areas.”

Mr. Pollitt praised the DWTC and local environmental groups such as the Wicomico Environmental Trust for working closely with him on this issue. “We all want to preserve the unique gifts of our environment while maintaining the economic viability of our region,” said Pollitt. “This solution for our dredging needs serves both interests.”

Each year, Wicomico County receives funding from the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge areas of the main channel of the Wicomico River in order to maintain a federally-regulated depth pf 14 feet. According to the DWTC, river dredging permits the continuation of waterborne commerce which is essential to the area’s economic survival.