Plymouth Harbor in Massachusetts, which has filled with silt preventing many vessels from entering and exiting, recently received $13.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging.
Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rep. William R. Keating (D-MA) sent a letter to Ricky James, assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, in April urging the Corps to fund the project. Dredging the harbor would provide economic, safety, and recreational benefits, the letter said.
Work is expected to be completed by 2020, the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower. Dredging will allow the Mayflower II to sail into the harbor for the celebration.
Local officials expressed gratitude for the harbor’s funding.
“The town of Plymouth is so pleased at this federal commitment and the personal attention that this community has received for dredging Plymouth Harbor,” Plymouth Town Manager Melissa Arrighi said. “On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and local fisherman, we want to thank Senator Markey, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Assistant Secretary James for their investment in the town.”
Markey recently met with Plymouth 400, an organization commemorating the anniversary, as well as state and local officials.