Rye Harbor users are urging federal officials to prioritize a dredging project they say is long overdue.
About 700 boat captains, fishermen and other residents signed a petition that was given to staffers for New Hampshire’s U.S. Senators at the town selectman’s meeting Monday night.
Rye Harbor hasn’t been dredged since around 1990, and users say increasing sedimentation is becoming an economic burden and a safety risk for mariners.
Chris Scott is special assistant for policy and projects in Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s office. He thanked residents at the meeting for the petition and said Shaheen is aware of their concerns.
“First of all, I think you’re already on the right path with these documents that show all the numbers and the economic impact of this harbor,” Scott told attendees. “We hear you loud and clear.”
Shaheen’s office recently secured funding for the Army Corps to plan dredging in nearby Hampton Harbor after sustained public pressure.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the Army Corps had funded dredging in Hampton Harbor. In fact, they have funded planning for dredging.
