News of the Project

PROJECT UPDATES

SCHUYLKILL NAVY NEWS ALERT: January 22, 2022

For immediate distribution to all organizational Boards/Officers, tenant/university coaches and administration, and organizational members/parents.

January 22, 2022 – Early this morning, the Schuylkill Navy’s Core River Restoration Team met with leaders of the Schuylkill rowing and paddling communities to discuss the January 21st announcement that the Schuylkill River Dredging above Fairmount Dam project has been allocated $5 million of funding from two recently enacted laws – the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2022 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

The full statement from the City of Philadelphia and Schuylkill Navy is below, as are links to initial press coverage. We anticipate a potential virtual press conference about the supplemental funding later this week and a community-wide public briefing when further details about the project’s potential re-commencement unfold.

For now, all media inquiries about the project or funding should be directed to the Schuylkill Navy’s Core River Restoration Team at the cc’d addresses above.

Additional Details:

The monies are part of USACE Philadelphia District’s larger $144.5 million supplemental funding for projects in the Delaware Valley and New Jersey. You can read USACE’s brief statement HERE.

As we’ve long reported through regular updates, we and the City have been steadily focused on attaining such an allocation of federal funds through USACE to supplement the $4.5 million of private-public funds raised locally in 2019.

While USACE originally used the locally raised funds to award a contract to Atlantic Subsea Inc (ASI), that contract was terminated by USACE in 2021 given ASI’s failure to complete the work, and it remains the subject of active litigation between ASI and USACE.

With close to $3.5 million of the original funds remaining on-hand, USACE had already committed to a re-procurement process which they anticipate could result in a restart to the dredging on Boathouse Row in July 2022, as soon as environmental windows allow for it.

Meanwhile, this $5 million infusion of additional capital now provides a viable route for completion of the additional sections of dredging needed upriver on the Schuylkill River’s National Course and the “Adaptive Lagoon” area accessed via MLK Jr Drive by the PA Center for Adapted Sports.

River Users and Fans owe a debt to Senator Bob Casey and Mayor Kenney for their direct efforts to attain this allocation (and to the handful of influencers who joined the City’s Tom Forkin and Core Team Member Rebecca Foley in executing our aligned and focused lobbying strategy). You can read Senator Casey’s full release HERE.

As we know, funding is only one element needed for completion of this long race.

Our focus will not relent until the mission is completed and we have a viable route for sustained maintenance for future generations. That said, this news is certainly a stroke in the right direction, and we’re grateful to all of you in our community and our many partners throughout the City for the continued support.

INFRASTRUCTURE MEDIA LINKS AND PRESS RELEASE

Philadelphia Inquirer: “Long-stalled Boathouse Row dredging will get $5 million from infrastructure bill to restart the project”

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION

For Immediate Release: January 21, 2022

City of Philadelphia Statement on New Federal Funding to Dredge Portions of the Schuylkill River Near Boathouse Row and on National Course

PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney joined leadership from the Schuylkill Navy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in welcoming $5 million of supplemental federal funding to support the successful dredging of the Schuylkill River near Boathouse Row and on the National Course. Dredging is a process by which silt deposits are excavated from the bottom of a body of water to make it more navigable.

“I would like to thank Senator Casey for his leadership in advocating for the critical investment needed to preserve Philadelphia’s treasured and historic natural assets like the Schuylkill River near Boathouse Row,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. This is a great day for rowing and paddling in our City, and all of the local organizations and individuals who have been working so hard to help preserve the Schuylkill River.”

“From regattas, fishing and boating, and the iconic lights of Boathouse Row, the Schuylkill River is an incredible asset to Philadelphia residents,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. “We are grateful to Senator Casey for recognizing the vital importance of this dredge project for the health and usability of the river. This investment will mean regatta organizers, rowers, and paddlers can expect a safe, accessible course on the Schuylkill River for many years to come.”

Schuylkill Navy Commodore Bonnie Mueller added ,”Our focus remains steadily fixed on the restoration of the Schuylkill’s depth…not only on Boathouse Row but throughout the needed areas upriver. It continues to be a long race, but the advocacy by Senator Casey and Mayor Kenney for this allocation has resulted in what feels like a shot of adrenaline to get us closer to the finish line.”

The new federal funding announced today will supplement locally raised funds and go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, to continue management of the dredging project. The City of Philadelphia is committed to the current restorative project and continued stewardship to ensure safe, accessible recreation for all on our waterways.

Background:

It’s been 20 years since the section of the river near Boathouse Row was last dredged and even longer — 50 years — for the 2-3 mile course. Silt build-up has clogged the waterway, creating an uneven riverbed and jeopardizing recreational use and Philadelphia’s iconic rowing and paddling regattas and related events.

Local fundraising included a historic collaboration of more than 25 partner organizations, including the City and Commonwealth; seven local universities; the Schuylkill Navy and all its member rowing clubs; the major regatta and paddling organizations; and individual donors. Several local universities contributed to the effort. They include: