Baltimore embarks on harbour clean-up

The first step will be to clean up approximately 22 acres of shoreline along Middle River. The MPA has already cleaned ten acres, removing 8,000 tons of debris from the site, which was previously occupied by Kurt Iron and Metal and the Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Twenty-seven abandoned vessels are located in adjacent waters. Some will be disposed of; the others will be covered by the dredged material.

Placement of dredged material is expected to begin in late 2009 and to be completed around 2039, involving over 16 m cubic yards of dredged materials. Each year 500,000 cubic yards will be placed at the site. The site will become a refuge for wildlife and waterfowl. A park will be developed, offering recreation such as kayaking and canoeing, and a community centre will be built. Part of the site will eventually be developed as a marine terminal. The total cost of the project is US$130m.