Correcting record on WW dredging

M. Patricia Ward of West Windsor
    Concerning your Oct. 10 article on the dredging of the Grovers Mill Pond (‘Cost of Grovers Mill Pond dredging goes up $150,000’), I would like to clarify and correct some of the information presented.
   The Township of West Windsor is spending $150,000 to have additional sediment dredged from the pond. The cost of the original project did not increase. The original $2.2 million contract that the federal government awarded to Select Transportation was for the construction of the dredged material containment area and the dredging of 50,000 cubic yards of material within the project limits. The project limits were drawn to show the maximum project area authorized by environmental permits. Although the project would have functioned as intended with just the planned quantity of 50,000 cubic yards of dredged material removed, the township elected to have an additional 15,000 cubic yards removed to further enhance the project.
   The $4.9 million project included the construction of a dredged material containment area, dredging of 50,000 cubic yards of material from Grover’s Mill Pond, disassembly of the containment area approximately one year after dredging is complete, mixing onsite material with the dried dredged material, and regrading the area. The material will not be removed from the park. The Army Corps of Engineers contributed $3.2 million and West Windsor Township contributed $1.5 million in cash with additional in-kind services (e.g., Police and Public Works participation).
   The township remains grateful to Rep. Rush Holt and the Army Corps of Engineers for a project that will enhance the beauty and utility of Grovers Mill Pond for years to come.
M. Patricia Ward, Coordinator
Community Development
West Windsor Township