Summary of Meeting on 8/14 regarding Occoquan Dredging

-In 1999, the community requested and Tom Davis’ office secured $1 million dredging for maintenance dredging of the existing federally mandated channel on the Occoquan River.

-The Corps of Engineers has determined that these federal funds are not required to maintain the existing mandated federal channel of 6 feet deep and 100 and 150 foot wide.

-The corps has expressed a willingness to work with the Coast Guard to move the existing channel markers to comply with the federal mandate and increase safety on the Occoquan.

-This action will help mitigate some existing safety problems for recreational boaters such as grounding; however, boating traffic will continue to increase and present additional problems.

-Based on this information, as well as the long term economic revitalization of the Port of Occoquan and other commercial interests, it has been determined that a new federally mandated channel with a depth of 9 feet and a greater width in various locations is necessary.

-The Original Funds designated for maintenance dredging on the Occoquan River will remain in tact until October 1, 2001, the new fiscal year. After the new fiscal year begins, the corps does have the right to redirect those funds to a new project within the Baltimore District (VA, MD, DE, PA, DC).

-Subsequent to the realization that maintenance dredging would not satisfy the long-term problems on the Occoquan, the community has submitted a new channel design and Congressman Davis is working to secure the language and funds necessary to implement the new design beginning this winter.

-As part of that effort, Congressman Davis will attempt to redirect the existing funds from the old project, which currently amount to approximately $ 700,000, to the new project. The $ 300,000 that has been spent was used to study the feasibility of the maintenance-dredging project. While this project has been deemed unnecessary, the data collected can be used to “jump-start” the studies for the new project that will be conducted this winter.

-Assuming a new channel design is included in the FY ’02 Budget, the corps will conduct a NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) study this winter, as required by federal law.

-By January or February of 2002, an approximate cost estimate for the new project will be available. Early estimates range from $ 1-5 million.

-There is an 80/20 Federal/Other Cost Share requirement associated with the project; however, this is flexible. For example, half of the non-federal funds (other) can be covered by “in kind” contributions. These can include such things as a dumping location for the dredge spoil, land swaps etc. The additional 10% can be covered by the localities, the state or a combination thereof, and can also include private funds.

-In the meantime, Congressman Davis’ office is continuing to maintain an open line of communication with the localities, citizens, interested parties, the corps, and the coast guard regarding this matter. Please feel free to contact Mr. Michael May, in the congressman’s Prince William office, at 703-590-4599 with any further questions or concerns.