The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refused Thursday to reinstate a marina permit for Sequoit Harbor and Marina in Antioch, but it did agree to listen to the marina`s proposals for repairing damaged wetlands.
In an unusually harsh action, the federal agency last month revoked the marina`s permit because of alleged wetlands destruction. It ordered the owners to restore the harbor and surrounding wetlands to their original condition and remove seawalls and boat docks.
The corps charged that Sequoit had repeatedly violated its orders over a nine-year period, dumping sediment and soil from harbor dredging into nearby areas.
The alleged violations occurred during expansion of the original harbor area. The old harbor area is still allowed to operate.
At a Wednesday meeting with the corps, Sequoit officials asked that the marina permit be reinstated and presented a proposal for restoring and enhancing the wetlands, said Philip J. Mole`, environmental consultant for the marina, located where Sequoit Creek empties into the Chain O` Lakes.
”The meeting did not result in a settlement,” said Carol Massar, a spokeswoman for the corps. But, she said, the agency is willing to listen to the marina`s ideas for environmental repairs.
”Violations continue to exist there, and the corps will continue to pursue appropriate enforcement action,” she said.
Wetlands were damaged during harbor construction, she said, and the corps requires that Sequoit replace or restore them. If a wetlands plan is eventually approved, she said, the corps could consider reinstatement of the marina`s permit.
”I thought the meeting was a good exchange,” Mole` said. ”We want to work jointly (with the federal agency) and re-establish our credibility.”
He said the marina`s original repair efforts failed because the soft swampy ground can`t support heavy equipment.
”It`s like quicksand out there,” he said.
