Intracoastal Waterway - Possible to change path?

Factual Questions
1

Like many places, navigable waterways in New Jersey have been filling in over the years for various reasons. In my immediate area many marinas are becoming unusable at other than high tide. I believe a contributing factor is a channel that was cut back in the '30s or '40s to facilitate the movement of some military boats that were being built at the time. Dredging is often a problem because there is nowhere to put the spoils that meets EPA/wetlands standards. The back-filling of this channel would kill two birds with one stone- actually three. Marinas could be dredged, the channel could be re-routed to its original course which which would arguably help keep the marinas clear and wetlands would be re-established.

The common response to this is, “You can’t change the route of the ICW”. Why not? Says who? The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the ICW and changed this particular section in the past. I figured I’d post here before attempting to deal with the infamous ACE bureaucracy in the chance that some Doper has some experience in this area. I have no hope of this plan actually being adopted but would like to armed with some knowledge before I open my mouth at a public meeting.

2

Railroads have changed where the tracks go. A lot of the original route that was used in 1860s to connect St. Louis to CA is no longer used.

3

Most likely, they mean the required environmental reviews and public hearings, along with entrenched interests, make it practically impossible.

4

I thought this was going to be about turning around and heading the other way while sailing in the intercostal.

Which for the part of the IC I have be in, yes you can :smiley:

5

FYI,
In dealing with the COE, remember one basic fact: they respond to congressional orders. Essentially nothing the Corps does happens unless it is tied to a congressional action (authorization and appropriation). This concept is stronger with the Corps than most Government agencies.
If you want the ICW to change, the only way to do that is through a congressional bill. And the usual way to get congress to pass such a bill is to get the Corps to agree that it is a good idea. Circular. Hence the infamous COE bureaucracy.

So, to do anything with the COE, you have to simultaneously make inroads with congress. Around here we are finally beginning to study hurricane protection responses to Hurricane Katrina that occurred in 2005. Based on an authorization bill passed in 2016 and an appropriation made in 2018. And yes it is 2020. It is a long-term process.