Sample Federal Consistency Review Certification 

Project Review Coordinator
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114

Re: Maintenance Dredging Project; Cape Cod Canal

Dear Project Review Coordinator;

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Office of Waterways, requests that your office review the proposed Cape Cod Canal Dredging Project for consistency with the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program. The authorized federal navigation project provides for dredging at both ends of the 17.5-mile Canal; the depth of the Canal is 32 feet below Mean Low Water (MLW), including the mooring basins at each end. The Cape Cod Canal is an open, toll-free waterway that allows vessels to avoid the hazardous route around Cape Cod. The mooring basins are available at no cost to commercial traffic for safe refuge during adverse weather conditions or in the event of problems during vessel passage.

The proposed work involves the mechanical dredging of a total of about 150,000 cubic yards of material from the East and West Mooring Basins and several areas of the main channel, and disposal of these materials at the Cape Cod Disposal Site and the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site.

DEM Waterways believes that the proposed maintenance dredging in the authorized navigation project is consistent with the program policies established as a result of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. The dredging operations will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the CZM Management Plan.

The proposed project complies with the following CZM policies:

COASTAL HAZARDS POLICY #2: Ensure construction in water bodies and contiguous land areas will minimize interference with water circulation and sediment transport. The proposed dredging activities will not interfere with water circulation in the Canal. No permanent structures are proposed in the body of water. Proposed dredging may increase circulation, if only slightly.

COASTAL HAZARDS POLICY #3: Ensure that state and federally funded public works projects proposed for location in the coastal zone will not exacerbate existing hazards or damage natural buffers or other natural resources and will not promote growth and development in hazard-prone or buffer areas. The proposed dredging will improve navigation and safe mooring of vessels in the Canal by removing sediment build up which is causing a navigation hazard.

PORTS POLICY #1: Ensure that dredging and disposal of dredged material minimizes adverse effects on water quality, physical processes, marine productivity, and public health. The material proposed for dredging is within acceptable parameters for disposal in open waters and also for beach nourishment. The project is timed to minimize fisheries impacts. While dredging, the project will comply with the requirements of the state's surface water quality standards.

PORTS POLICY #2: Promote the widest possible public benefit from channel dredging. Ensure that dredging is consistent with marine environmental policies. The proposed dredging will improve safe navigation in the Canal and mooring area.

If you have any questions, please contact me at the number above.

Very truly yours,

DEM Waterways

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