The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announced the release of the draft report regarding the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Study, which kicks off an official 45-day comment period in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The District is conducting a study to increase the depth of the existing federal channel along the St. Johns River from its current project depth of 40-feet to a maximum depth of 47-feet. The extent of this deepening would occur from the mouth of the St. Johns River to approximately River Mile 13. The National Economic Development (NED) plan has been identified to be 45-feet.
This is the depth that reasonably maximizes net economic benefits consistent with protecting the Nations environment. The non-federal sponsor, JAXPORT, officially requested a locally preferred plan (LPP) of 47-feet, and approval was granted by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
The study has evaluated navigational concerns and provides recommendations for investigating navigation improvements. The study also includes detailed information regarding all environmental considerations such as salinity effects, mitigation, shoreline erosion, sea level rise, confined blasting, etc.
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Press Release, May 31, 2013