Pursuant to 38 M.R.S. §480-D, sub-§9, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is required to provide the Maine Department of Environmental Protection with an assessment of the impacts on the fishing industry of a proposed dredging operation. The Portland Harbor Commission, in cooperation with the Cities of Portland and South Portland and the MDOT, is proposing to dredge 28 areas of the immediate waterfront in Portland Harbor/Fore River to improve berthing and enhance sediment and water quality.
The dredging of the Portland Harbor waterfront consists of 17 piers, 8 marinas/boat yards, and a landing. Dredging is expected to occur using barge-mounted mechanical dredge equipment. All material (sediment and any debris) will be placed in a hopper barge or dump scow for transport. Materials from four areas will be hauled offshore for disposal at the Portland Disposal Site. This total dredged area will be 286,114 square feet with a total volume of 43,499 cubic yards. The dredged material from the remaining areas will be disposed of in the Portland Harbor CAD cell. The total dredged area for this portion of the project will be 1,368,685 square feet with a total volume of 192,051 cubic yards of material.
Construction will be performed within the work window of November 1 – March 15. Work is anticipated to begin in fall 2025 and occur over five years.
A map of the haul routes can be found here.
DMR will accept verbal and written comments about the potential impacts on fishing in the area to be dredged and impacts to the fishing industry of the proposed route to transport the dredge spoils. If 5 or more persons request a public hearing prior to June 13, 2025, DMR will hold a hearing. Comments should be sent to DMR at the email or mailing address listed below by 5:00 pm, June 13, 2025.
Department of Marine Resources, Attn: Environmental Permit Review, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333 or email: EnvironmentalReview.DMR@maine.gov.