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Shaheen Statement on EPA Approval of Isles of Shoals North Dredged Material Disposal Site

**Last month, Senator Shaheen & Fmr. Senator Gregg toured Rye Harbor & discussed the upcoming dredging project**

**Shaheen led successful effort to secure approval & $4 million in funding for Rye Harbor dredging**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement that they’ve issued approval for the Isles of Shoals North Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site. This site will serve the New Hampshire, Southern Maine and Northern Massachusetts Coastal Region, and will greatly assist with the dredging of Rye Harbor later this fall. Shaheen led the successful effort to secure approval and funding for the dredging of Rye Harbor, and toured the site last month with Former U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH).

“Procuring a disposal site for the materials removed from Rye Harbor is a critical part of the upcoming dredging project,” said Shaheen. “The ability to dispose of dredged material at the Isles of Shoals North is preferred over the alternate location, as it will help reduce costs and also ease stress on the fishing grounds. Dredging Rye Harbor is significant for our coastal communities, fishing and lobster industries, and the overall safety of those traveling in and out of the harbor. That’s why I fought to secure approval and funding for this project, and I’m glad we’re one step closer to seeing this through.”

A fierce advocate of Granite State coastal communities, Shaheen repeatedly called on the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to dredge Rye Harbor and prioritize the project. In response to Shaheen’s efforts, the Corps included $4 million to complete dredging work at Rye Harbor in their fiscal year 2020 work plan, and later offered assurances to complete this work in a timely manner. Shaheen had previously led efforts to help secure approval and funding to dredge Hampton-Seabrook Harbor, which started in the fall of 2019 and was completed.