SEATTLE -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will place about 55,000 cubic yards of sand at the Grays Harbor south jetty breach fill near Westport, Wash., beginning Nov. 14.
The sand placement is intended to protect against continuing erosion and the risk of a breach forming which could threaten the stability of the south jetty and federal navigation channel. Sand will be placed in the most eroded portions of the spit, which will bring it back to a crest height of 35 feet. This will reinforce this area and provide necessary protection against a breach.
The Corps contracted Northwest Rock Inc., Aberdeen, Washington, to perform the work. The sand must meet Corps gradation and marine sediment quality standards to nourish the threatened breach fill area. The contractor will build a temporary access road and is required to remove materials used to create the access road once the sand haul is complete.
Construction is planned during daylight hours, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and is expected to be finished by March 15.
Native vegetation will be avoided when possible. No long-term impacts to vegetation are expected.
Access to Westhaven State Park will be restricted during those hours. Within Westhaven Park, patrons should be careful coming and going and be aware of where trucks and other heavy equipment are located. Park patrons should avoid the construction work area.
This action is being undertaken as an intermediate measure pending implementation of an operations and maintenance Long Term Management Strategy currently under review.
Release no. 19-038