DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

CIVIL WORKS
108 ARMY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20310-0108

June 5, 2020

Mr. Kevin Roche

President, SOS Saco Bay, Inc
Saco, Maine

Dear Mr. Roche:

Thank you for your May 8, 2020 email concerning the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) shore damage mitigation study of the Saco River and Camp Ellis Beach,
Saco, Maine conducted under the authority of Section 111 of the River and Harbor Act
of 1968, as amended.

At the request of the City of Saco, the USACE conducted a series of studies for this
proposed project at a federal cost of more than $3.5 million. A draft final report
recommending a project that would reduce erosion at Camp Ellis was provided to the
City in August 2018. The project recommendation was consistent with the requirements
of Section 111 and the increased authorized Federal cost limit of $26.9 million set by
Congress for this project in WRDA 2007. The City declined to support that
recommendation. After further discussions, a final report was prepared in April 2019.
The City again declined to accept the recommendation. Accordingly, the USACE
informed the City it had terminated further study efforts in January 2020. Congress has
not appropriated any funds for construction of this project.

On March 27, 2020, the new City administration and the USACE New England
District conferred along with Maine’s Congressional staff. The USACE reiterated that
the recommendation made in the report represented the full extent of its authority to
address the problems at Camp Ellis Beach. The City has indicated that it might
reconsider its decision not to support the recommended project. At the City’s request,
the District provided examples of USACE Project Partnership Agreements; however,
given the unique nature of this project, a specific agreement would need to be drafted
for Saco. If the City does decide to change its position on sponsoring the
recommended plan, the USACE is willing to work with the City to find a path forward.

Thank you for your support of the Army Civil Works program.

Sincerely,

R.D. James
Assistant Secretary of Army
(Civil Works)