Harbor management plan on course

No update to current plan since 1987

“The Essex project represents one piece of an overall state strategy that the CPA is using to improve Connecticut’s small harbors. In all, the CPA has helped to fund 18 similar projects statewide this year for a total investment of over $5.4 million using CPA and local matching funds.”

Scott Bates, chairman of the state Port Authority

ESSEX — Officials with the Connecticut Port Authority came to town on Wednesday to hold one of their regular meetings and meet with town officials about the ongoing Harbor Management Plan upgrade.

The original master plan for the harbor was written in 1987 and has not been updated since then. The plan has to be updated in order to comply with state regulations.

The Port Authority approved a $42,500 grant to help the town pay for the work. The town’s portion of the cost for the updated harbor management plan is $30,000.

Much of the work being done involves data collection that will be used to:

1 Identify existing conditions within North Cove, Middle Cove and South Cove. 1 Develop plans for future harbor improvement projects such as dredging and the restoration of Thatchbed Island.

The island, which sits near the mouth of the Connecticut River, was once 25 acres. It is now just eight acres in size, and is affected by sea levels, Jeff Going, chairman of the town’s Harbor Management Commission, told Hearst Connecticut Media earlier this year.

Several other buffer islands between South Cove and the river have been affected by sea-level rise, Going said.

Thatchbed Island provides flood protection to the town. In a request for proposals put out by the town in November of last year, town officials said the “primary goal for Thatchbed Island ... is to establish a path forward, which is anticipated to include a living shoreline and salt marsh restoration.”

Town officials are hoping that when the harbor is dredged, the material that is removed from the bottom of the harbor can be used to help restore Thatchbed Island.

“The Essex project represents one piece of an overall state strategy that the CPA is using to improve Connecticut’s small harbors,” Scott Bates, chairman of the Port Authority, said in a statement. “In all, the CPA has helped to fund 18 similar projects statewide this year for a total investment of over $5.4 million using CPA and local matching funds.”

Essex First Selectman Norman Needleman called the state’s financial share of the project “a sensible compliment (sic) to match our local funding.”

“The Essex harbor is well known throughout New England and this project will help preserve its character for years to come,” Needleman said in a statement.