Posted on April 16, 2025
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (Corps) is beginning preparation of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document to address maintenance dredging of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in Manatee County, Florida. The Corps is the Federal agency responsible for maintenance of the GIWW. The non-federal sponsor (NFS) for the proposed maintenance dredging is the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND). The Corps is currently gathering information to define issues and concerns that will be addressed in an analysis to be prepared in compliance with the NEPA.
The GIWW Project from the Caloosahatchee River to the Anclote River was originally authorized by Chapter 19 of the River and Harbors Act of 1945 (PL 79-14) in accordance with House Document Number 371, 76th Congress. Congressional authorization directed the Corps to construct and maintain the GIWW channel to a depth of nine (9) feet plus two (2) feet of over depth Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). The purpose of the project is to provide safe navigation within the federal channel through the removal of shoaling (i.e., accumulated sediments in the channel) to maintain the authorized depth. The NEPA analysis will evaluate maintenance dredging Cuts M-4, M-5, M-12, M- 13, and M-14 within the GIWW channel between Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay (see Figure 1). Analyses will also consider proposed placement of the dredged material in existing sites, such as Egmont Key nearshore placement area as well as other potential beneficial use of dredged material opportunities, such as placement in an existing dredge hole adjacent to the channel, near Cut M-5 and Long Pass Inlet which could promote the re-establishment of seagrass.
The Corps welcomes your comments, views, and information about environmental and cultural resources, and/or other important features within the described project area. The Corps will accept written comments regarding the proposed project for 30 -calendar days from the date of this letter. Comments may be submitted via email to CESAJ-GIWW-Navigation@usace.army.mil (recommended subject line: “GIWW Manatee NEPA Scoping Comments”) or to the attention of “Coastal and Navigation NEPA Section (PD-EC)” by U.S. mail to the letterhead address. All individuals who respond with comments will be included in future mailings. Others may be added to the mailings by making a written request to the same letterhead address or email. All comments will be provided to the project delivery team for consideration during the development of the NEPA document.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Katie Lebow at (904) 232-2030 or via email at Kathryn.E.Lebow@usace.army.mil. Thank you for your assistance.
Figure 1: Map depicting the GIWW authorized project area
