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Got a call from someone saying they had talked to a Army Corps of Engineers person who told them that the Corps was going to be dredging the St Marks river from the bird rack on in- in the next several weeks. They wondered if I had heard about it and how it would affect the fishing.

Told 'em I didn't know nuffin but would ask more knowledgeable folks than I. Any thoughts or past experience on this subject?

Sea Gurl

Sea Gurl-

For the last week or so, I have been investigating that rumor. Redhead heard a rumor from the guys form the Army COE in Panama City that channel maintenance was going to take place relatively soon. From the investigation I did, it seems the dredging is a RUMOR. Here is a synopsis of my investigation:

1- I've been keeping my eye on the "Local Notice to Mariners" produced by the US Coastguard for District 8, and there is no mention of dredging activity for St. Marks River. Here is the link. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d8gm/default.htm Go to that page and click on District 8 and it will pull up a list of Notices. Select the most current weekly update and read it. Also checked the October notices.

2- I’ve searched the Army corps of engineers dredging schedules, and found nothing for St. Marks area. Mobile District “Notice to Navigation Interestsâ€

A) it is not a rumor- I work with both the COE and DEP on these issues for my day job. Here is the link to their dredging schedule- it is part of the ACF/GIWW and other coastal projects on page two: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/nav/Dr ... Nov-04.pdf
B) COE Permitting is done at the main office of DEP and not the branch offices-Craig is not the COE permitter. The work being conducted in Apalachicola Bay is part of the GIWW permit that the COE already has. I am not sure of the St. Marks permit, but I know it has been in the works for years.
C) This is area falls under the Mobile District of the COE. Jacksonville takes over further south (for COE projects not individual wetlands permits). They (the COE) typically issue the notice to navigators for dredging about two weeks in advance so it is not surprising that there is no notice.
D) As for much of the designations, it is a Congressionally authorized navigation channel. The COE gets permits for the discharge/disposal of dredged material (Section 401 water quality certification). The State also says that with the DEP permit they also get the "dredge and fill" and Sovereign Submerged Lands pemits. OFW designation applies primarily to new or renewal of wastewater permits. It does little for disposal of material- enforcement is based upon the conditions at the time when the area was designated. Sometimes finding that information is challenging or depending on flow conditions fluctuating. Aquatic preserve status primarily involves restrictions for permitting of structures (docks) in the area and/or restrictions on dredged channels (destroying seagrass issues).

My apologies if this seems short since I am just trying to provide accurate information and give some background into state permitting. I have been doing this for 20 yrs.

Redhead-

Can you get anymore details on this proposed dredging activity?

Thanks for your help-

I asked Allen Boyd a while back to dredge the Econfina, No results.
pops

When you are trying to provide accurate information, please support it through the internet links, numbers or names so it is verifiable .

I believe Redhead saying he works in the field is enough information....

If Redhead wants to provide additional information that will be his decision…

“Weâ€

Looks to me as if the Notice to mariners only goes through November, they just might not have updated the site yet.

Thanks for the information RedHead. I'm sure you've got a better handle on this stuff than any of us do.

Thank you Redhead & Mjsigns for contributing.

I don't think I made the main meaning of my inquiry clear and it got off to a bad start. My apologies.

I know the canal has been dredged in the past and wanted to know from people who have been fishing this area for years & years & years (like Tin Can, PA, Jumptrout 51 etc ) how this action affects fishing - good or bad - from past experience?

Sea Gurl

Sea Gurl, the channel hasn't been dredged since I started fishing the area. Jumptrout51 might be the best source.

Spoke with Redhead this afternoon concerning the proposed dredging. He really has the inside information on the work to be performed, but would prefer not to be the focal point of an avalanche of questions. I agreed to act as a messenger to pass more detailed information about the project along to everyone as it becomes available. Here’s the information thus far-

The St. Marks Channel is gong to be dredged; it’s no longer a matter of “ifâ€

Now if we could just convince them to do it in Feb. while Trout season is closed

It just might take them that long to make it over our way

Never been around when the St. Marks was dredged, but when there was dredging in south Louisiana (where I growed up) the fishing would drop off significantly.

Yep, then ya'll are gonna come over to my area and agrevate me

You can bank on it!