The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Wilmington District is hosting a series of public meetings in June to discuss long-term strategies for maintaining North Carolina’s federal harbor channels.
The meetings, which will be held in-person and virtually, are an opportunity for the community to engage on the development of environmental impact statements for the Morehead City and Wilmington harbors.
Supporter Spotlight
Notices of intent for the Morehead City Harbor and Wilmington Harbor were published on Thursday.
The environmental impact statements will evaluate “reasonably foreseeable” environmental-related impacts to proposed updates to operation and maintenance, or O&M, dredging and associated activities, according to a Corps release.
Key topics include environmental compliance, navigational safety, and risk-based analysis.
The environmental impact statements will not evaluate or examine any changes in channel dimensions, dredged material volumes, or options where dredged material may be placed.
“Updates to O&M activities are expected to improve operational flexibility by updating avoidance and minimization measures, including adjusting the timing of dredging operations,” the release continues.
Supporter Spotlight
Morehead City Harbor meetings are scheduled as follows:
- In-person on Monday, June 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Morehead City Elementary School media room, 3316 Arendell St.
- Virtual, session 1, on Tuesday, June 9 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Virtual, session 2, on Monday, June 15 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Meetings for the Wilmington Harbor will be held:
- In-person on Tuesday, June 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Edwin A. Alderman Elementary School cafeteria/multi-purpose room, 2025 Independence Boulevard.
- Virtual, session 1, on Monday, June 15 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Virtual, session 2, on Tuesday, June 16 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
The Corps will accept public comments at the meetings as well as by email to CESAW-WHOMEIS@usace.army.mil, online at https://sardn-eis-sardn.hub.arcgis.com/, or by mail: Attention: Teresa Young, Environmental Resources Section, USACE Wilmington District, 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Comments will be accepted through June 29.
