Law Will Allow Kennebec River Deepening

On Friday June 17 Maine Gov. Paul LePage signed legislation that will allow the Corps of Engineers to dredge the Kennebec River and place dredged material in an offshore site near Popham Beach. The dredging is to deepen the navigation channel to allow Navy destroyer USS Spruance to leave Bath Iron Works where is is being upgraded scheduled for September 1. Fishing lobster commercial clam boating and recreational interests had been concerned about the impact of the dredging which is scheduled for their peak season. The state Department of Marine Resources will monitor the dredging and placement activities.