After completing months of studies and preliminary evaluations, the city of Port Richey is poised to move its proposed canal dredging project into the next stage of the design process, a key milestone before any work can begin on the water.
At the July 14 City Council meeting, council members unanimously approved a $106,282 contract with engineering firm Stantec to prepare 60% design plans, conduct additional environmental surveys and submit state and federal permit applications for the project.
The proposed dredging project includes selected residential canals and waterways, with additional survey work planned along the Cotee River and in Millers Bayou.
“A large majority of canals are within the city of Port Richey city limits,” said Sal Licari, interim city manager and operations manager. “The City Council selected the canals to be in the project due to their use and presumed boat traffic.”
Dredging will also help address concerns raised by residents related to navigation, flooding and water quality, Licari said.
Once permit applications are submitted within the year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers will review them for approval.
According to Stantec’s scope of services for the project, that permitting process could take 18 to 24 months to complete. This next step builds on Stantec’s completed preliminary evaluations, which included underwater surveys, sediment and volume analyses, submerged resource assessments, geotechnical investigations and coordination with regulatory agencies to help determine the feasibility of dredging and guide the project’s next steps.
Once permits are approved, Licari says dredging could begin that same year. The city is funding the next phase of the project through its Dredging Contingency line item funded by Penny for Pasco revenue. The approved contract with Stantec covers design, permitting and additional survey work, while the cost of future dredging construction has not yet been determined.
“The initial project may take several years to complete,” Licari said. “After that, the city will assess a long-term maintenance plan.”