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Harbor District says Woodley Island Marina dredging delayed as fund covers only a fraction of current cost
Summary
District staff reported the last major dredge removed 64,753 cubic yards at a contract cost of about $3.5 million. With a dedicated dredge fund collecting roughly $250,000 a year, staff said it would take about 11 years at current rates to accumulate funds for a similar dredge and that the district will not dredge this season.
District staff told the board that planned maintenance dredging at Woodley Island Marina is deferred because current funding sources cannot cover realistic dredging costs.
Staff recounted the most recent major dredging episode removed 64,753 cubic yards of sediment and that the accepted bid for that work came to roughly $3.5 million. The staff presentation said a typical annual need is about 45,000 cubic yards. The district’s dedicated dredge fund currently collects about $250,000 per year, which staff estimated would take approximately 11 years to save for a comparable episode at current price levels.
"We removed 64,753 cubic yards... the bid came to $3,500,000," the presenter said. Staff noted prior borrowing to complete recent dredging and that FEMA and other federal funding sources remain uncertain; staff is monitoring potential grant solicitations from NOAA and other agencies.
To address the funding gap, staff outlined options under consideration: infrastructure or enterprise bonds, increased user assessments or surcharges, targeted grant applications and pursuing cooperative efforts with the U.S. Army Corps and U.S. Coast Guard. Staff said some federal programs and navigation grants could be a source of funds, but the district must improve project readiness and vessel‑traffic data to be competitive.
The board recorded that the district will not dredge this season and will continue exploring funding options and technical measures to support future dredging. No vote was required for the informational report.
