Delaware Gov. John Carney, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester announced that beach nourishment projects are planned for Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach, and Fenwick Island.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District awarded a contract to Weeks Marine of Cranford, N.J. for $23.8 million to conduct periodic nourishment on three dune and beach fill projects along the Delaware coast. The contract is a joint effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The costs of the project will be shared by the federal government and the State of Delaware., and has been a priority of the Congressional delegation because it will help protect the homes, businesses and the economy on coastal Delaware.
“By replenishing our beaches in Delaware, we not only protect the homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure in those communities but also a big part of our state’s $3 billion tourism economy,” said Carper, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.“That is why I continue working with my congressional colleagues to ensure Delaware has the resources we need to maintain our coastline for future generations. We can rebuild our beaches in a way that makes them more resilient to extreme weather and other impacts of climate change, and I thank the Army Corps of Engineers for being great partners in this effort.”
The contract calls for dredging sand from offshore borrow sites. Sand is then pumped through a series of pipes, placed on beaches, and graded into an engineered dune and berm template, which is designed to reduce damages from coastal storms. The contract includes the following:
- Rehoboth & Dewey Beaches: In Rehoboth Beach, sand will be placed on the beach in the northern portion of the community (between the City Tennis Courts area on N. Surf Avenue south to the Bandstand Area). In Dewey Beach, sand will be placed on the beach between Salisbury Street south to the Beach Avenue area. Estimated sand quantity: Rehoboth Beach – 196,000 cubic yards; Dewey Beach – 194,000 cubic yards.
- Bethany & South Bethany Beaches: In Bethany Beach, sand will be placed from Third Street south to Wellington Park. In South Bethany Beach, sand will be placed from approximately North 5th Street south to North end of Fenwick Island State Park. Estimated sand quantity: Bethany Beach – 245,000 cubic yards; South Bethany Beach – 287,000 cubic yards.
- Fenwick Island: In Fenwick Island, sand will be placed from approximately Kames Street south to Lighthouse Road. Estimated sand quantity: Fenwick Beach – 207,000 cubic yards.
Dunes and associated beach access points will be repaired in however areas; however, most of the work includes widening the beach between the toe of the dune and the water line. Depending on the condition of the beach based on surveys, the the Army Corps could exercise contract options to place additional sand as part of the project.
