Smithtown board OKs permit to dredge Nissequogue River

Smithtown Town Board members voted unanimously Thursday to grant approvals necessary for the Suffolk County Department of Public Works to begin maintenance dredging of the Nissequogue River.

Town board members modified a marine law permit and directed the town clerk to issue the revised permit to Suffolk County. The revision extended the completion date of all permitted dredging activities from Dec. 19, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2016, and increased the amount of sand to be dredged to 93,000 cubic yards from 90,000 cubic yards.

The town board also approved all necessary plans, agreements and permit applications, along with any other documents required to accomplish the dredging project.

Smithtown town code requires any person or entity to apply for a written permit in order to remove from or deposit into a bed of any waterway or wetland.

Nissequogue River dredging is expected to start Oct. 1, followed by Stony Brook Harbor and Porpoise Channel dredging. Both projects are to be completed by March 31.

Nissequogue River was last dredged in 2009, and Stony Brook Harbor and Porpoise Channel in 2010, said Suffolk County Commissioner of Public Works Gilbert Anderson, adding that the county plans maintenance dredging every five years.

County contractors are expected to begin mobilizing equipment for the Nissequogue River dredging on Saturday.