To the editor:
The Item (Feb. 7) has given coverage to the proposed Swampscott pier project and the concern the commercial fishermen have to the failure of the plan to include dredging of the mooring field given the severe shoaling which has left the commercial boats aground at certain times.
The reason stated was that the cost was prohibitive due to the requirement that eel grass would be destroyed and needed to be replanted at a times-10 amount for what was removed.
The Army Corps of Engineers recently announced $14 billion in funding for port and waterway improvements with $20 million earmarked for Massachusetts, including $2.95 million for Salem Harbor (and its approaches) — all for dredging.
Why didn’t Swampscott ask to be included in this funding and why doesn’t eel grass grow in any of these other locations?
Neil Rossman
Fishermen’s Alliance, Swampscott
