Emergency Dredging Proposed For Montauk Inlet, Officials Say

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A plan to embark upon emergency dredging in Montauk is one step closer to fruition, East Hampton officials said Thursday.

The Town of East Hampton said in a release that it is making "significant strides toward ensuring the safety and continued vitality of Montauk Inlet, a critical navigation route for the local commercial fishing fleet."

The requested emergency dredging project is closer to becoming a reality, thanks to continued collaboration between local and county officials, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and support from federal leaders, town officials said.

Councilmember David Lys, who has been a leading voice in advocating for the dredging, emphasized the urgency of the situation.

"The shoaling in Montauk Inlet has reached dangerous levels, with vessels waiting for high tides to navigate safely or even opting to land their catches out of state. This is not just an environmental issue, but an economic one that impacts our local fisheries and community."

The proposed emergency dredging will deepen the Montauk Inlet from its current dangerous depths of 3 feet in some areas to a depth of 12 feet, where the shoaling is most evident, officials said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been surveying the area and is working to move the anticipated emergency dredging project up ahead of schedule, with the possibility of dredging outside of the normal restricted seasonal windows. That would allow dredging to begin as early as possible to restore safe access to the harbor, particularly for the 500 vessels that depend on the "vital passage" during the summer months, officials said.

United States Senator Chuck Schumer has been instrumental in supporting the effort, Lys said, expressing his gratitude to the senator's office for their help in pushing the USACE to act swiftly.

"Senator Schumer's assistance has been invaluable in ensuring that we get the attention and support needed from the Army Corps," Lys said.

The latest public notice issued by the USACE for Lake Montauk Harbor’s maintenance dredging signals progress, further confirming that the emergency dredging will soon take place. The notice is a positive step forward and indicates that the critical work will be expedited, officials said.

"We are grateful for the cooperation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and for the support we’ve received from Senator Schumer, Congressman Nick Lalota, County Executive Ed Romaine and all involved parties," said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. "This project is essential to maintaining the safety, economy, and way of life for East Hampton's residents, particularly our fishermen, who rely on these waters for their livelihood."

As the emergency project moves closer to approval, East Hampton officials said they are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a timely and successful outcome, ultimately restoring safe navigation through Montauk Inlet and safeguarding the key resource for years to come.

To submit public comments, contact the project manager, Alexander Gregory, at alexander.f.gregory@usace.army.mil.