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Mattituck Inlet dredging to wrap up by month’s end

The dredging work, during which close to 100,000 cubic yards of material will be removed from the inlet, will deepen the inlet channel to 11 feet below mean low tide, improving navigability. The dredged sand will be placed on the beach to the east, in the form of a 20-foot-wide strip about 4,500 feet long starting at the eastern jetty, according to Mr. Bishop’s office.

The work is expected to be complete by the month’s end.

The federal government last year agreed to dredge Mattituck Inlet, a $2.2 million project for which the Army Corps is responsible.

“The [Army Corps] is very much over burdened with the work that needs to get done all over this county,” Mr. Bishop said. “There is an enormous amount of work that we ask them to do, and I’m glad they were able to push this project to the top of their pile and get it done.”

Both Mr. Bishop (D-Southampton) and Southold Supervisor Scott Russell also thanked Ron and Doris McGreevy, who led the local lobbying effort to get the inlet dredged.

“It was their persistence that kept pushing this and I think we can all admit, it wouldn’t have happened without their tenacity,” Mr. Russell said

Army Corps’ commander for the New York district, Col. Paul Owen, commented on both the government officials and the McGreevys’ “dogged determination” that helped bring the project — which is right on schedule — to fruition.

“I am very happy to say that by the end of the month we will have this project done,” Col. Owen said.

Local fisherman said the improved navigability would ease anxieties when making it to work during the seasons.

Commercial fisherman Jim Kaminsky, who’s been fishing out of the inlet for over 50 years said his 53-foot-vessel known as “Tide II,” one of the largest vessels that uses the inlet, said he will soon be able to safely come and go on his own terms —not being so dependent on the tides that now rule his fishing schedule.

“It will be 100 percent improvement,” Mr. Kaminsky said. “I had to get excited every day when I had to worry about getting in and out, and we couldn’t possibly get in when it was rough.”

In the early 1980’s, Mr. Kaminsky lost a 48-foot steel boat, which ran aground in the inlet.

“It hit bottom and rolled over,” he said. “Everybody survived, she just rolled over. We got her back up that night, luckily there was a crane in the area, and no fuel was spilled.”

Residents to the east of the inlet, including the McGreevys, say they will soon be able to enjoy their replenished shore.

“We spearheaded it but we had a load of people, couple of hundred people, who worked on this project and came forward when they had to,” said Ron McGreevy. “We got it and now we hope the sand migrates down the beach like it should.”

Mr. McGreevy said he’s enjoyed the years of research, and planning the project took along the way — from dealing with government to understanding coastal sustainability.

“One thing I liked about this project, is it was a great learning experience,” he said “All kinds of things about coastal processes here and in Panama and all over the world. It was a very interesting endeavor and I’m glad its home to fruition and the project is finally being done.”

CARIE MILLER PHOTO | The federal government last year agreed to dredge Mattituck Inlet, a $2.2 million project for which the Army Corps is responsible.
CARIE MILLER PHOTO | The federal government last year agreed to dredge Mattituck Inlet, a $2.2 million project for which the Army Corps is responsible.