MARQUETTE, MI-- The Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a contract to dredge stamp sands from Buffalo Reef off the Keweenaw.
Petersen Companies of Minocqua, Wisconsin will dredge about 27,500 cubic yards of sands from in and around Grand Traverse Harbor. It was a byproduct of early 20th Century copper mills. Another 80,000 cubic yards will be removed from an ancient riverbed area north of Buffalo Reef. Officials want to keep the sands from compromising the spawning ability of lake trout and whitefish on the reef.
Project Manager Steve Check says dredging will buy time for a team to develop a long-term management plan for continuously drifting stamp sand.
The dredging is scheduled for next summer.
