A dredging project, which includes widening and deepening of Miami’s port, has been challenged by the environmentalists who strongly believe that it would affect water quality, coral reefs and marine life.
“ Our beautiful Biscayne Bay, known for its abundance of sea life and its pristine water quality, will be subjected to years of blasting and dredging which will foul the waters and damage ecosystems ,” said Alexis Segal, executive director of Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper . “ And there is no consensus that the project will yield the economic results promised, but the burdens on taxpayers and the environment are sure things.”
A spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection stated that the petition was being reconsidered.
The petition will postpone grant consent to the Army Corps of Engineers to start dredging expected next year.
The canal widening is aimed at accommodating the supersized cargo ships that are to sail through Panama.
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Dredging Today Staff, November 29, 2011;