The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced dredging of the entrance to Holland Harbor will begin as early as Thursday, April 24th, to remove shoaling across the federal channel.
According to surveys, a shoal, or a submerged ridge or bank of sand or gravel that lies close to the water’s surface, developed during the winter months across the entrance to the harbor that could potentially cause the shipping industry to lose $1.4 million to $1.9 million per year due to ships having to carry lighter loads.
Meanwhile, the dredging of Grand Haven’s inner harbor has been rescheduled for 2026 after the Corps pushed back against a mandate from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to test sediment for PFAS chemicals. EGLE is concerned that the sediment may inadvertently contaminate drinking water depending on where it’s deposited.
The Corps rejected an internal request to fund PFAS testing, saying it threatens to drive up dredging costs if the sediment is toxic enough to require landfilling.
