The Army Corps of Engineers will dredge a 10-foot channel in the Oak Bluffs harbor in the coming weeks, to improve navigation and provide safe access for boats entering the marina.

There was a 30-day public comment period on the plan nearly six years ago. No comments were received.

This week the Corps released updated details about the project. While the project approved six years ago called for 5,800 cubic yards of sand to be removed, the amount has now been reduced to 3,500 cubic yards, as the town conducted an emergency dredge of the harbor in 2006.

Boaters can again buy fuel in the Oak Bluffs harbor after the gas station owned by businessmen Mark and Mike Wallace at Church’s Pier reopened last week, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend. Meanwhile, a town-sponsored proposal to build a new station near the Island Queen dock has been put on hold, at least for the time being.

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission on Thursday voted without dissent to approve a town-sponsored initiative to build a new gas station for boaters on the Oak Bluffs harbor. The plan was approved after a rapid review, during which several commissioners acknowledged the importance of having fuel in the harbor in time for the busy summer season.

With a series of lawsuits between two well-known Island businessmen threatening fuel service for boaters in Oak Bluffs harbor this summer, town officials are scrambling to build and operate their own filling station near the Island Queen dock by the Fourth of July.

Oak Bluffs voters may soon be asked to spend $100,000 to pay for engineering work associated with an ambitious waterfront improvement project along Seaview avenue from Oak Bluffs harbor to Farm Pond.

The total cost of the project is pegged at $2.7 million.

The news come on the heels of the release of a 35-page report entitled Sea View Revitalization Concept Master Plan, drafted by a special task force created last year to develop a plan to revitalize the town beach.

The search continues this morning in Oak Bluffs harbor for the
whereabouts of Michael F. Landfear, 54, of Falmouth.

Mr. Landfear was last seen Tuesday night heading out on a small
rowing pram to a boat moored in the harbor. U.S. Coast Guard, state and
local police, together with public safety volunteers from three Island
towns searched all day yesterday without result.

The Oak Bluffs harbor is a money machine for the town, but the question facing leaders after yet another record-breaking year of revenue is whether they can squeeze more cash from the operation.

A 38-year-old man from Watertown drowned early Saturday morning
after he fell off the bulkhead at Oak Bluffs harbor and into the water,
according to police.

At least six deer carcasses were illegally dumped in the Oak Bluffs
harbor last week, sending bacteria levels sky-high and prompting closure
of the harbor to shellfishing two days later. Police have no suspects
but said they are confident they will find those responsible for what
one environmental official has called a hazardous waste site.

Oak Bluffs harbor had a record money-making summer. Josh Williams,
the harbor marina manager, estimated income from slips and moorings were
up 14 per cent over the previous year. Total income was $720,000, up
some $86,000 from the summer of 2000.

Oak Bluffs harbor was the place to be. Slips and moorings were
mostly full throughout the season and for the first time the town
offered regular, dependable launch service that made money.