DANA POINT

The Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks Department this week began a two-week project to dredge the inner and outer channels of the Dana Point Harbor. The Seattle-based Manson Construction Co. is removing a decade-long buildup of silt--largely from urban runoff--from the inner channel.

The 1,600 cubic yards will be moved to a location 12 miles west of Dana Point in an offshore dumping area knows as LA-3. Manson is also transferring 35,000 cubic yards of sand from the outer channel of the harbor to Dana Point beaches. The dredging is scheduled to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.