ELLSWORTH – The contractor dredging the city harbor has addressed some concerns about the project raised by federal officials but, despite a permit extension, will not finish the project this spring, according to officials.

Tom Leavitt, a retired surveyor and contractor overseeing the project for the city, said Wednesday that Northeast Marine and Towing of Penobscot, the contractor dredging the harbor, has been given approval to work until the end of the month.

Without such approval, dredging in salmon spawning grounds, which includes the Union River, between April 15 and Nov. 1 of each year is prohibited by federal law. Leavitt said there had been some concerns raised that the contractor was dredging outside the permitted area. State and federal officials looked into the matter, however, and determined there was not a problem.

The temporary delay in sorting the issue out, combined with the physical obstacle of ice this winter, set back the contractor’s efforts to dig out the city harbor, Leavitt said. The contractor did not work for nine weeks this winter because of the delays.

“It’s been a struggle,” Leavitt said. “It’s not the city’s fault.”

Leavitt said the job is about half-done, and it is hoped it will be finished sometime next winter.

Northeast Marine and Towing had inadequate equipment during the 2001-02 dredging season but has since acquired a new backhoe, according to Leavitt.

Ellsworth Harbor Master Randy Heckman said Wednesday that Northeast Marine and Towing had a survey done and has marked off the harbor boundary to make sure it stays within the permitted area. The process is going slowly, however, and will not be finished by May 1, he said. “It’s just going to take forever,” Heckman said. “The whole thing has been very frustrating for me and for other people involved.”