Tires Threaten River Dredging Project
Federal authorities are facing a new obstacle in the effort to clean up a Philadelphia-area river for rowing clubs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has discovered thousands of illegally dumped tires in the Schuylkill River, which could delay the vital dredging process.
During the first phase of the project, contractors removed 28,000 cubic yards of sediment a year ago. But in the second phase aimed at preparing the river for rowing, they encountered a big problem: tires. The workers began pulling out all kinds of tires, even large tractor and truck ones.
According to Army Corps spokesperson Steve Rochette, the tire issue wasn’t limited to one spot; it kept happening along the National Race Course. As a result, the original dredging plan had to be put on hold, and a new plan is yet to be decided.
The “Schuylkill Navy,” a group of amateur rowing clubs, had been advocating for this dredging project for years. They’ve been worried about sediment buildup, which created uneven riverbeds and put their rowing events at risk.
The group’s leader, Bonnie Mueller, is relieved that the tires are being removed but fears that this cleanup might further delay the river’s full restoration.
The first contractor working on the dredging project stopped in November 2020 due to excessive debris and financial issues. The Army Corps had to find a new contractor, securing more federal funds to restart the operation.
Initially, officials hoped the dredging would be finished before this month’s scheduled regattas. Now, they’re aiming for completion by next month, even though there are concerns about potential financial setbacks and delays.