Port of New Orleans Access Channel Deepening Project virtual public meeting scheduled

Published May 15, 2020

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, has scheduled a virtual public meeting regarding the Port of New Orleans Access Channel Deepening Feasibility Study (PONO) at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

The report, supporting documents, and public meeting login information is available on the project site here: https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/PONO-Deepening/.

The study area is the left descending bank of the Mississippi River between mile 98.3 and mile 100.6. This reach of the river is adjacent to the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans.

A Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) has been identified to deepen the access channel and reduce shipping and transportation cost to the port. The harbor access channel depth currently authorized is less than the authorized depth of the Mississippi River Ship Channel deep draft channel. This results in harbor access depth issues that affect vessel loading and potentially necessitates the need for alternate cargo offloading methods. This issue also prohibits deeper draft vessels from accessing the Port of New Orleans.

The general public, interested parties, and stakeholders are invited to comment on the TSP. The draft report contains a description of the project, an evaluation of the alternatives under consideration, and an analysis of potential environmental impacts. All public comments received will be addressed and considered accordingly.

The Corps of Engineers will accept comments during the public meeting or comments may be sent to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District

Attention: Project Management

CEMVN–PM, Room 331,

7400 Leake Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70118

Comments can also be submitted by email to: PONOStudy.publicreview@usace.army.mil.

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Contact
Matt Roe
Robin.M.Roe@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-034