ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS OFFICIAL TOURS CAMP ELLIS JETTY AT SENATOR COLLINS' REQUEST

CAMP ELLIS— Colonel Curtis Thalken, the new Commander and District Engineer of the Army Corps of Engineers, today met with a representative from Senator Susan Collins’ York County Office to discuss the Camp Ellis restoration project. Colonel Thalken met with Peter Rogers, Senator Collins’ State Office Representative, to discuss erosion and restoration issues and to tour this beachfront location.

Senator Collins requested the meeting to ensure the new Commander realizes the importance of the restoration project and to keep the Army Corps focused on the devastating erosion at Camp Ellis. “It is imperative that the new Commander see for himself the devastating impact erosion is having on the shoreline,” said Senator Collins. “The safety and well-being of the residents of Camp Ellis depend on successful action by the Army Corps of Engineers. I really do not believe we can wait any longer, and I am committed to seeing this important restoration project through.”

More than 100 years ago, the Army Corps built a jetty extending out from the Saco River, adjacent to Camp Ellis Beach. An Army Corps study confirmed that this jetty has altered the pattern of currents and sand deposition and is the primary cause of the devastating erosion. Erosion at Camp Ellis has caused 36 houses to wash into the sea in the last 100 years. Houses that are now in danger of being washed away were once six or more houses back from the oceanfront. The 1998 shoreline had receded 400 feet from where the shoreline stood in 1908.

During today’s meeting, Colonel Thalkin said that the Army Corps’ contractor recently finished taking borings in Saco Bay. The Army Corps has received the boring logs and will be testing the soil samples. Colonel Thalkin said he hopes to receive the results next month and he plans to hold a meeting in January to discuss possible options and solutions. Wave-modeling studies have indicated that the construction of an offshore breakwater, a spur coming off the jetty, or both, are likely needed to protect the shoreline from further erosion and destruction of property.

“I am encouraged that Colonel Thalkin was eager to meet with us and discuss the important issues at Camp Ellis,” said Senator Collins. “Camp Ellis has waited far too long and seen far too many homes lost for this problem to go unaddressed.”

Also present at the meeting was Rick Michaud, City Administrator for the City of Saco, Bob Marvinney, Maine Geological Survey, and Mark Habel and Richard Heidebrecht from the Army Corps of Engineers.

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