York County Commissioners to vote on dredge purchase on Wednesday

ALFRED — Saco and other coastal communities are eagerly waiting to hear whether the York County Commissioners will approve the $1.8 million purchase of a dredge machine with American Rescue Plan Act funds.

A strong proponent for the proposed dredge is SOS Saco Bay, a local community group advocating for a solution to mitigate erosion in Saco Bay caused by a jetty built in the 1800s by the Army Corps of Engineers that is disturbing the natural flow of sand. As the city continues discussions with the Army Corps regarding a project to help offset this disruption, a dredge that could be used to clear the Saco River and periodically relocate sand on the shore could also help maintain the beach.

“Getting this dredge is action, tangible action. Giving York communities a key tool in the tool shed for our economy and our environment to give us some command – not all- of our shifting shorelines and clogged waterways,” said SOS Saco Bay President Kevin Roche at the April 6 York County Commissioners’ meeting.

County government received $40 million of ARPA funds, and a pitch to use $1.8 million of these funds on a dredge has received letters of support from not only Saco, but also from several other York County coastal communities, as well as the University of New England and the Cumberland County community of Scarborough.

Communities all along the coast could benefit from the dredge, not just Saco, said District 3 County Commissioner Al Sicard.

The County Commissioners fielded questions from Saco Mayor Bill Doyle and SOS Saco Bay at its meeting last week, and postponed a vote on the $1.8 million purchase as one of the five commissioners – Richard Clark – was absent. The vote is expected to take place at a 3 pm. meeting on April 13.

Doyle said he envisions a quasi-governmental agency, much like Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach transit system, overseeing the proposed dredge program with an executive director in place and communities contributing money. Under a suggested plan, the City of Saco would use $700,000 of ARPA funds it received to cover operational costs the first year.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.