E. Hampton OKs dumping of dredge spoils

Saying that quick action was needed to keep Suffolk County’s plan to dredge the entrance to Three Mile Harbor on schedule, the East Hampton town board has voted to allow the county to dump dredge spoils on part of Marina Lane near the harbor next month.

The county recently informed the town that the dredged material was too silty to be placed on Sammy’s Beach, where maintenance dredge spoils are normally deposited.

The dredging, from the inlet to the south end of the harbor, will take place next month. Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said that unless the Marina Lane site could be used, the project would be unduly delayed.

The blockage of the channel interferes with the normal tidal flushing of Three Mile Harbor and has a negative impact on eel grass and shellfish.

The board, on Thursday night, unanimously voted to have town natural resources director Larry Penny work with the county to determine precisely where the dredge spoils will be deposited.