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Dredging, breakwater design delayed; NOAA/Army Corps review and government shutdown push timeline
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Summary
City staff and consultant Moffett Nichols told the Marine Advisory Commission that NOAA Fisheries and Army Corps reviews — and a federal government shutdown — have delayed permits for planned marina dredging and breakwater design work, potentially shifting schedules into mid-2026.
Oak Harbor — City staff and consultant Moffett Nichols told the Marine Advisory Commission that permitting for the marina’s dredging and a related breakwater design is delayed while the Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA Fisheries complete reviews, and staff warned a federal government shutdown has added weeks of delay to the project timeline.
Brian (city staff) and Harbor Master Elise said the project team had originally planned permitting to conclude in early 2026 to allow dredging inside the August 2026–February 2027 fish window. Moffett Nichols is preparing amendments to design and permitting agreements for the breakwater portion and the shore-survey work that will feed siltation modeling.
Elise said the Army Corps waits on NOAA Fisheries review before it will sign off on the JARPA and permits. She reported that the project had been timed for an early 2026 permitting completion, then moved to about April, and with the government shutdown the schedule could slip to June or later; each day of the shutdown was described as equating to multiple days or weeks of schedule impact.
City staff outlined cost estimates for near-term work: a shoreline survey for the breakwater design of roughly $13,000 and a study range for the breakwater design of about $150,000–$170,000. Staff also said they have received letters of support from the offices of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s and Rep. Rick Larsen’s offices and were preparing grant applications tied to the breakwater work.
The harbor manager said construction targeting mid-September of the next year remains the project target at present, but staff cautioned the timeline remains “soft” until NOAA Fisheries assigns a caseworker and the federal review resumes. The commission discussed relocation logistics for boats during dredging and noted staff will prioritize frequent communication with tenants about scheduling and options.
Why it matters: Dredging and breakwater work affect marina access, slip availability and funding needs. Delays to permits could force schedule changes that affect tenant decisions about staying in the marina and could change the timing of rate or dredge-fee impacts.
Next steps: Moffett Nichols will provide a November check-in with the commission, the city will finalize the amendment for the breakwater design/permitting agreement, and staff said a rate study will be issued in the coming months as the city prepares for budget and rate decisions.
