Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine urged the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize the dredging of the Mattituck Inlet in a letter to the agency.
“We cannot afford another delay,” said Romaine. “It is critical for the economic vibrancy and safety of the entire Mattituck area that this dredging take place to and beyond the required limits.”
Dredging of the federally authorized navigation channel was originally scheduled for the fall of 2025, but was delayed due to equipment delays and shipyard issues with the Corps’ dredging vessel. Local officials, including the Mattituck Park District chairman, have warned that the inlet faces a “catastrophic breach” should a major storm arise.
Romaine also supports any necessary Section 111 studies to support the inlet’s long-term maintenance to protect this critical piece of coastal infrastructure.