Dredging - Peel Harbour/Marina

Summary

A request was made regarding the dredging schedule, silt accumulation, and disposal plans for Peel Harbour/Marina following a planning application for a silt dump. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the last dredging date, annual silt deposition rates, and future dredging timelines, but withheld specific disposal method details due to ongoing contractual discussions.

Key Facts

• Peel Harbour/Marina was last dredged in Spring 2021.
• The river deposits approximately 2,000 cubic meters of sediment into the Marina annually.
• A further dredge is being considered for Spring 2024, potentially deferred to 2025.
• Specific silt disposal methods for the 2024/25 dredge cannot be disclosed as discussions are in early stages.
• There is no current intention to let the Marina become unusable or return it to a tidal state.

Data Disclosed

• Spring 2021
• 2,000m3
• Spring 2024
• 2025
• 2024/25

Exemptions Cited

• Information withheld due to early stage discussions and contractual agreements

Original Request

I note that that in your latest planning application for the Poortown Road Silt Dump you state that the reason for applying to leave the silt permanently at the Dump is that you haven' got anywhere to dump silt, which begs these questions -. 1. When was Peel Harbour/Marina dredged on the last occasion?; and 2. How much silt do you estimate will have been dumped into Peel Harbour/Marina since it was last dredged? and 3. When do you next propose to dredge Peel Harbour/Marina? and 4. If dredging were to take place, then given that you've stated that you haven't got anywhere to dump the silt, how do you propose to dispose of the silt? 5. If you don't propose to dredge the silt which has been building up in Peel Harbour/Marina since it was last dredged, is it your intention to let the silt build up so that Harbour/Marina would become unusable for most vessels as a Marina; and 6. if so, is it your intention to let the Harbour/Marina return it to its previous tidal state with the flap gate lowered permanently (or disposed of) which would allow the silt to disperse gradually on each ebb tide?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 2655945 18 October 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 23 September 2022 and which states (sic):

"I note that that in your latest planning application for the Poortown Road Silt Dump you state that the reason for applying to leave the silt permanently at the Dump is that you haven' got anywhere to dump silt, which begs these questions -. 1. When was Peel Harbour/Marina dredged on the last occasion?; and 2. How much silt do you estimate will have been dumped into Peel Harbour/Marina since it was last dredged? and 3. When do you next propose to dredge Peel Harbour/Marina? and 4. If dredging were to take place, then given that you've stated that you haven't got anywhere to dump the silt, how do you propose to dispose of the silt? 5. If you don't propose to dredge the silt which has been building up in Peel Harbour/Marina since it was last dredged, is it your intention to let the silt build up so that Harbour/Marina would become unusable for most vessels as a Marina; and 6. if so, is it your intention to let the Harbour/Marina return it to its previous tidal state with the flap gate lowered permanently (or disposed of) which would allow the silt to disperse gradually on each ebb tide?"

Our response to your request is as follows: 1. When was Peel Harbour/Marina dredged on the last occasion? Peel Harbour/Marina was last dredged in Spring 2021 2. How much silt do you estimate will have been dumped into Peel Harbour/Marina since it was last dredged? And The river deposits circa 2,000m3 of sediments into the Marina each year.

1. When do you next propose to dredge Peel Harbour/Marina? And We are considering carrying out a further dredge of Peel Marina in Spring 2024, although this may be deferred until 2025, depending on the quantity of silt within the Marina and how this is affecting the pontoon berths.
2. If dredging were to take place, then given that you've stated that you haven't got anywhere to dump the silt, how do you propose to dispose of the silt? We are at the very early stages of discussions for a solution to dispose of the material that will be dredged in 2024/25 (Noting this will not be deposited of at sea). As this is early discussions and will involve contractual agreements, we are not in a position to disclose this at this present time.
3. If you don't propose to dredge the silt which has been building up in Peel Harbour/Marina since it was last dredged, is it your intention to let the silt build up so that Harbour/Marina would become unusable for most vessels as a Marina; and This is not the current intention.
4. if so, is it your intention to let the Harbour/Marina return it to its previous tidal state with the flap gate lowered permanently (or disposed of) which would allow the silt to disperse gradually on each ebb tide? This is not the current intention.

Please quote the reference number 2655945 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision.

More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. We will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team