In 2026, work on the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (Mid-Bay Project) includes the construction of stone sills, breakwaters, and other structures.
The Mid-Bay project, in partnership with MDOT MPA, includes restoration of 2,072 acres of lost remote island habitat on James Island and 72 acres of remote island habitat on Barren Island.
Over time, project will restore more than 2,100 acres of remote island habitat by beneficially reusing 90–95 million cubic yards of dredged material.
The project will utilize material dredged from the Port of Baltimore approach channels and shallow draft federal navigation channels, respectively.
The project is expected to include the construction of a variety of habitats, including mudflats, low marsh, high marsh, islands, ponds, channels, and upland areas.
By pairing navigation maintenance with environmental restoration, the project will keep shipping channels navigable while rebuilding critical habitat in the Chesapeake Bay.
In October, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, awarded a $39.9 million contract to Seacoast Marine Construction Inc., for restoration work at Barren Island.
At Barren Island, progress is already visible. Phase I construction was completed in October 2024, with crews installing most of the protective stone sills and breakwaters designed to shield the island from wave action.
Once finished, restoration at Barren Island will create at least 72 acres of wetlands using material from nearby shallow-draft channels.
Phase II at Barren Island began in early 2025 and continues to move forward. The southwest wetland containment cell has been constructed, and filling of one of two planned bird islands is now complete. Foundation replacement and construction of the northeast sill are expected to wrap up by the end of summer 2026.
Filling of the second bird island, along with the islands’ protective reefs and shell cap, is scheduled for completion by late 2026. Installation of the southern spillway will occur in 2026 before dredged material placement begins.
Dredging and placement of material from the Honga River channel is planned for late 2026 through early 2027.
James Island represents the largest portion of the restoration project. It will be restored to 2,072 acres, approximately 45% uplands and 55% wetlands, using material from the deep-draft channels leading to the Patapsco River.
The Phase I construction contract is expected to be awarded by the end of March 2026, with work beginning in late spring or early summer on a large, confined sand stockpile that will support future dike construction.
James Island will receive dredged material around 2030, after sill and dike construction efforts to hold the material are completed at each location. The Honga River channel was last dredged by USACE in 2009.
In 2022, USACE received more than $80 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to complete the design and preconstruction activities for the Barren Island component of this project, to include the first construction contract award.
In October 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, issued an updated notice urging boaters in the Chesapeake Bay to steer clear of ongoing construction activities near the Mid-Bay Island Project, located adjacent to the islands of James and Barren in western Dorchester County.
The Mid-Bay project is anticipated to be completed in 2067 – providing more than 30 years of capacity to place nearly 95 million cubic yards of dredged material.
sources: Maryland Port Administration ECOPort Newsletter, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
Related Information
James Island – Barren Island Ecosystem Restoration Partnership Agreement
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