Dredging Operations Begin 

Release Date: October 17, 2003
Release Number: 1490-57

» More Information on North Carolina Hurricane Isabel

Raleigh, NC -- The dredging operation to reconnect Hatteras Island and create a base for Highway 12 across the breach created by Hurricane Isabel began Friday.

The 320-foot dredge Illinois was in place off Hatteras, six miles of pipeline from the dredge to the breach were in place, pressure-testing the lines was finished, and at 2 p.m. today the dredge began pumping.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that a contract for $6.2 million to fill the breach has been agreed upon with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company of Oak Brook, Illinois. Other associated costs, including potential environmental mitigation, are projected to raise the final cost to $7.5 million.

The cost will be split between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (75 percent) and the state of North Carolina (25 percent).

The cost is higher than earlier estimates, according to USACE Project Manager Wayne Bissette, because later surveys of the breach made clear that more sand, and a larger dredge and more powerful equipment, would be required to do the job. In addition, environmental factors, like post-construction replanting with native species, will raise the final cost.

Another environmental factor that will raise the final cost is restricting dredging operations to the ferry channel, Bissette explained. That restriction means the Illinois will work more slowly than if its computer-controlled machinery could sweep at maximum speed across its full range, but keeping to the ferry channel will minimize impact to submerged aquatic vegetation. Bissette pointed out that using sand from the ferry channel also has the added benefit of dredging up to 1 ½ miles of the channel, which filled in somewhat during the hurricane.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 16:01:11