Congressman Harris: Dredging is Crucial to the Eastern Shore of Maryland

SALISBURY, MD: Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) commended the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for working with stakeholders in Maryland’s First District on the issue of dredging the Ocean City Inlet. Recently, the shoaling situation was made worse by Winter Storm Jonas and Congressman Harris has been working with Worcester County, the Town of Ocean City, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to begin dredging the inlet ahead of schedule. USACE announced today that dredging of the Ocean City Inlet would begin on March 4th.

“Shoaling is severely impacting the local economy and livelihood of commercial watermen, while also creating safety issues for both commercial and recreational boaters. Dredging the Ocean City Inlet is crucial to the area and we have been working with all stakeholders – including Worcester County, the Town of Ocean City, the watermen, waterfront businesses, local elected officials, and the Army Corps of Engineers, to ensure it is done in a timely manner and to find a lasting solution,” said Congressman Harris. “It’s a win for the area to have the Army Corps of Engineers begin dredging in Ocean City next week and I commend them for working with us to make it happen.”

Since 2012, Congressman Harris and his staff have been involved with the shoaling issue and have been working hard to solve water-related issues around Ocean City. Congressman Harris is hopeful that the “Stinky Beach Scour Hole” project will help to solve the shoaling issue in Ocean City in the long term.