Washington, D.C. – In a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree voiced their support for the City of Saco formally expressing interest in entering into a Project Partnership Agreement with the USACE to address the ongoing beach erosion at Camp Ellis in Saco.  A letter of support from the city was required before the USACE could move forward with a project to modify the jetty and renourish the beach.

“We were encouraged by the letter of support from the City of Saco, which was backed by the full City Council and the City’s newly elected Mayor Bill Doyle,” Senators Collins and King and Congresswoman Pingree wrote.  “To date, 38 homes have been lost due to erosion, along with dunes, a railroad, and four streets.  This continuing loss of property prompted the City of Saco to request Federal assistance to mitigate further shoreline impacts… we appreciate your willingness to work with the City of Saco to find a solution.”

The USACE has been working with Saco to find a solution to address erosion at Camp Ellis through Section 111 of the 1968 River and Harbor Act, which provides authority for the Corps to develop and construct projects for prevention or mitigation of damages caused by Federal navigation work.  Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree have championed efforts to resolve the challenges created by the USACE’s Camp Ellis Jetty. 

Click HERE to read the letter to USACE Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James.