CRANSTON, RI -- In an effort to remove sediment and debris that poured into Pawtuxet Cove during the March 2010 floods, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Representative Jim Langevin, and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian and Cranston Mayor Allan Fung today announced $1.75 million in federal funding for maintenance dredging of the Federal Navigation Project in Pawtuxet Cove. The funding comes as part of the 2010 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations bill passed in July, which included millions of dollars in emergency flood assistance for Rhode Island.

This year's record-setting floods resulted in deep erosion along the Pawtuxet River and caused a significant amount of shoaling in Pawtuxet Cove, which was last dredged in 2006. Shoaling occurs when waves are forced to enter shallower water, increasing the height of the wave in a shorter period, and thus resulting in a greater volume of granulated materials that are carried by the waves into the area where shoaling has occurred, creating a sandbar-like landform below the water's surface. This material must then be removed through the process of dredging to preserve the coastline.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District will perform maintenance dredging of the Cove. The project is expected to take between six and eight weeks to be completed.

The Federal Navigation Project provides for a 6 feet deep by 100 feet wide channel created from deep water in Providence Harbor to the head of Pawtuxet Cove, as well as a turning basin at the mouth of the Pawtuxet River, a 14-acre anchorage between the entrance channel and Warwick Downs State Park and a 2,200 feet long sheltering dike.

All of these structural changes will benefit the Pawtuxet Cove, which supports around 33 commercial fishing vessels, 217 recreational vessels and six water dependent businesses, such as marinas and boat yards. Pawtuxet Cove was last dredged in 2005.

"Dredging Pawtuxet Cove makes good economic and environmental sense and this is another example of the federal government's commitment to help Rhode Island recover from the floods. Removing the sediment that is obstructing navigation will improve boat travel for fishermen, recreational boaters, and waterfront businesses as well as help preserve our coastline," said Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water.

"The use of Pawtuxet Cove by both recreational and commercial boats has been threatened due to damage caused by the recent flooding, and without this federal assistance, use of the Cove would be severely hampered. Our efforts have paid off, with the announcement that this funding has been secured. Now the Army Corps will be able to alleviate the impact of the flood damage on commercial fishermen and other businesses that rely on this important waterway," said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

"Working together across federal, state and local government, we were able to quickly secure funding to dredge Pawtuxet Cove to ensure it soon returns to a working waterway," said Congressman Jim Langevin. "A tremendous amount of debris, sand and silt rushed down the Pawtuxet River during the spring floods making this emergency dredging a necessity. I look forward to watching the barges get to work on this project."

"I sincerely thank our Congressional delegation for their prompt action when it appeared that this funding might be in jeopardy, particularly with the window of opportunity to dredge this season closing in quickly," said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. "The re-dredging of Pawtuxet Cove will benefit our local fishermen, other area business owners who rely on the Bay for their livelihood, and those who simply enjoy being out on the water. I also thank the state Coastal Resources Management Council for their attention to this issue. They have been great partners as this process has moved forward."

Mayor Fung commented: "This critical project ensures the viability of the marine industry in Cranston and helps keep Pawtuxet Village a beautiful destination location. We are pleased to be part of an effort to benefit the people of our community and look forward to a continued partnership on behalf of the constituents we all serve."

The dredging project is coordinated with numerous federal and local agencies, including: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Marine Fisheries Service; the State of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM).