Keeping Creek Navigable

[HWT]

Hi All,

I am writing to see if anyone knows the rules and regulations about maintaining a creek. I live on a small cove, and my neighbors and I are interested in deepening the creek in order to get the boats in at low tide. At high tide, there is enough water to get a 20' boat in and out, but at low tide, it's a soft mud flat with very little hope making it back to the dock. Any suggestions on how to manage this? What are some legal methods used to get this creek back to the depth it was a couple years ago?

Also, if no one knows, which agency would know about this?

Thanks for your time.

[Capt Frank]

HWT
In Maryland you would apply for a Dredging Permit thru the Wetland's Division, Maryland Department of Environment. In Md you are entitled to deepen your channel to your dock, they are called spur channels. You need to get in touch with the Va Dept of Environment if you live in Va.

[Tom Powers]

I would start by calling VMRC Habitat division and talking with the area engineer. They can steer you in the right direction and probably provide you with the permit application forms.

Ususlly the three big deals are underwater grass beds, which it sounds like you don't have; disposal of the dredge spoils; and of course the money to make it happen.

Tom

[RKOCH]

Do like we do back up the boat and let the prop dig it will blow it out of there no spoil to worry with and no more grass beds just a nice deep channel with no BS permits. You just got stuck in the mud you were not dredging.