Extended Dredging Period For Wickham Creek Secured

CUTCHOGUE, NY — An extended dredging period has been secured for Wickham Creek in Cutchogue, Rep. Lee Zeldin said Tuesday.

Pummeled by a series of "unprecedented nor’easters," Wickham Creek suffered from increased shoaling and dangerous navigational conditions, Zeldin explained.

Although dredging is prohibited between January 1 and September 31, Zeldin said heworked with United States Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Suffolk County Department of Public Works and the Town of Southold to secure an extended dredging period for Wickham Creek until June 30.

The nor'easters left "many of our communities’ navigational channels impassable,” Zeldin said. “With the summer upon us, the dangerous condition of Wickham Creek was a safety hazard to recreational and commercial boaters alike and threatened the maritime economy supported by this important waterway. The extension of the dredging period will restore safe navigational conditions to this waterway just in time for summer.”

Others applauded the extension.

"Dredging the inlet to Wickham Creek in Cutchogue would increase the flushing action of tidal water from the bay, which would result in a cleaner water environment and allow for harvesting shellfish from a much larger part of the creek than at present," Thomas Wickham, said.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell added: “I am pleased Congressman Zeldin was successful in extending the dredge window to maintenance dredge Wickham Creek, and appreciate his ongoing efforts in addressing the environmental and navigational conditions of our inlets.”

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.