Maintenance Dredging of Raritan River to Arthur Kill Cut-off Federal Navigation Channel   3

Background
The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) proposes to perform maintenance dredging of the Raritan River to Arthur Kill Cut-off Federal Navigation Channel. The project will consist of basic work dredging to a depth of -20 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) plus 1 foot of allowable overdepth (280,000 cubic yards), with an option to dredge an additional 1 foot of overdepth (80,000 cubic yards). The proposed maintenance dredging including options would remove approximately 360,000 cubic yards (CY) of material from the critical shoal area, with subsequent placement at the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS), approximately 5 miles east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The dredged material is expected to consist primarily of silt and clay.
Based on the past dredging projects within the New York Harbor / New York and New Jersey Channels, and restrictions typically set forth in New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality Certificates, the proposed work can only be performed by utilizing a mechanical clamshell dredge having a closed environmental bucket. Additionally, multiple ocean-going, bottom-dumping barges, tugboats and survey vessels will be needed to perform the work during the dredging and placement activities. The dredging and placement at the HARS would be required to meet all federal, state, and approved local criteria required by agencies having jurisdiction where the dredging and placement sites are located.

Work Details
The project involves maintenance dredging of the Raritan River to Arthur Kill Cut-off Federal Navigation Channel. It includes basic work dredging to a specific depth with an option for additional overdepth. The material removed will be placed at the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS). The proposed work requires utilizing a mechanical clamshell dredge with a closed environmental bucket and multiple ocean-going, bottom-dumping barges, tugboats, and survey vessels. The contractor is required to commence work within five calendar days after receiving the Notice to Proceed and maintain an integrated production rate of at least 8,000 cubic yards per calendar day for the dredging and placement activities. The anticipated period for this work is summer/fall 2024 with an estimated cost between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

Period of Performance
The proposed work is anticipated to take place in the summer/fall of 2024.

Place of Performance
The geographic location for this project is at the Raritan River to Arthur Kill Cut-off Federal Navigation Channel.