An effort is underway to form a new authority that could raise money to dredge the St. Joseph River in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.
The Benton Harbor Economic Development and Parks Committee met this week and on the agenda was a resolution to approve the formation of the Harbor Authority in partnership with the city of St. Joseph and St. Joseph Township. The authority would have the ability to approve an assessment near the areas to be dredged, whenever it’s needed.
The committee’s resolution says the authority would cover the St. Joseph River and frontage between the Main Street bridge and south beyond Pier 1,000 through St. Joseph Township. It would not include the river harbor channel maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
We reported last year that Berrien County sought a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for dredging in the river, especially near the Tackle Haven docks and around the island as the area was becoming too shallow for boats to pass through. However, a campaign to raise money to pay for the dredging, mostly with marinas and boat owners contributing, never got off the ground. Now, the three affected municipalities are discussing the formation of this new authority to resolve the issue more long-term.
The resolution on the Benton Harbor Economic Development and Parks Committee agenda this week was never discussed because the meeting had to be abruptly adjourned. The city says the matter will now be considered by the Legislative Committee on February 5.
