Water floods Eastern Ave. in Camp Ellis around large rocks that were knocked into the street by large waves in Jan. 2021. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
SACO — The city of Saco is currently reviewing a draft project partnership agreement from the Army Corps of Engineers that, if signed, would see the city and the Army Corps work together to mitigate beach erosion at the coastal community of Camp Ellis.
The City Council will hold a public reading of the document at their next meeting on Oct. 16, which will give the public an opportunity to learn more about the agreement. Citizens will have the opportunity to give feedback on the agreement during that meeting, as well as during a public hearing that is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6. Throughout the review process, the city will have the chance to make suggested changes to the project partnership agreement.
Remediation to prevent further coastline erosion at Camp Ellis has been in the works for many years. In the 19th century, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed a jetty at Camp Ellis, which experts say has accelerated erosion of the shore. The project partnership agreement under review is a proposal by the Army Corps of Engineers to construct a spur jetty that the Army Corps says would blunt the erosion caused by the jetty. SOS Saco Bay, a group aimed at preserving Saco’s coastline, has urged the city to take action stop erosion at Camp Ellis, but is wary of the proposal in its current draft form.
Earlier coverage of the project partnership agreement stated in error that the city of Saco faces an Oct. 31 deadline to sign the agreement. The city does not face an Oct. 31 deadline to sign the agreement.
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