JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District will host two National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping meetings for the Miami Harbor Navigation Improvement Study. The meetings will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at Cruise Terminal F on Port Miami, 1103 North Cruise Blvd., Miami, Fla. 33132 (complimentary parking in Lot G). The first meeting will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and the second meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. The information at both meetings will be the same.
The purpose of the scoping meeting is to present and discuss the production of a NEPA document for the feasibility study, and to assess the effects of potential navigation improvements to Miami Harbor. The scoping meetings will aid in determining the scope of the NEPA analysis and any potentially significant issues. The NEPA process will also identify alternatives and information needed to evaluate alternatives. Alternatives under consideration for the study include:
1.) No action;
2.) widening and/or deepening of specific areas within Miami Harbor’s federally authorized channels, including: the Outer Entrance Channel Flare, Outer Entrance Channel, Elbow, Fisherman’s Channel, and Dodge-Lummus Island Turning basin.
Issues that are anticipated include concern for hardbottom/reef communities, turbidity and sedimentation associated with dredging operations, seagrasses, threatened and endangered species, and cultural, commercial and recreational resources.
We welcome views, questions, comments, concerns and suggestions. The Corps believes this study will benefit significantly from public involvement and encourages participation in the NEPA scoping process. Letters of comment or inquiry should be sent to CESAJ-MiamiHarbor@usace.army.mil or be addressed to the Planning Division, Environmental Branch, Jacksonville District, 701 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207, by November 26.
More information: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/MiamiHarborNavigationImprovementStudy/
Note: this news release was updated Nov. 6, 2018
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