State Will Dredge Lacey Channels In Barnegat Bay In August

Boating around Barnegat Bay in Lacey Township should get a little easier after the state Department of Transportation dredges five navigation channels in the Forked River area.

The channels slated to be dredged include the Forked River, the Forked River Middle Branch and Spur, the South Spur and the "Elks" Channel, according to a DOT release.

The work is part of a $2.5 million project to dredge the Forked River and Barnegat BaycChannels.

The project is expected to start in early to mid-August and will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the end of September.

The channels will not be closed, but State Aids to Navigation will be removed as needed for the duration of the project.

The public is advised to be aware of and stay alert to the pipeline, buoys, dredge and other equipment during this time.

"NJDOT asks that no one approach the pipeline, dredge or any related project equipment under any circumstances, whether or not active dredging operations are observed," the release states. "These channels in the Forked River area can be especially narrow at times and boaters should proceed through dredging maintenance and construction zones with the utmost caution."

Although channel closures are not expected, channel use will be limited when the dredging in going on and where the pipeline is carrying dredged materials to the Oyster Creek Confined Disposal Facility.

The NJDOT announced a comprehensive State Channel Dredging and Emergency Response Program back in March 2014, more than a year after Superstorm Sandy.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller