Posted on September 21, 2022
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) seeks public comment for its proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for maintenance dredging and dredged material placement for the Miami Harbor Navigation Project at Port Miami, in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
The purpose of maintenance dredging is to maintain safe, efficient navigation through the port’s federal navigation project channels and related features. Maintenance dredging is necessary to address the accumulation of sediment, commonly referred to as shoaling, which reduces the depths and widths of the navigation channels, hindering safe and efficient navigation. Removal of the accumulated sediments will restore the dredged sections to their federally authorized and constructed dimensions.
The district’s Preferred Alternative consists of removing up to 260,000 cubic yards of accumulated material, which will be placed in the Miami Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site. Routine maintenance dredging of the federal navigation project may occur on both a periodic cycle (historically every ten to fifteen years) or on an as-needed basis for the emergency removal of shoals.
The 2022 EA provides an evaluation and analysis for future maintenance dredging at the federal project. Details are available for review and public comment in the draft EA, which along with the proposed FONSI and associated appendices are available for public review and comment at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/.
On that page, click on the “+” next to “Dade” and scroll down to Miami Harbor Operation and Maintenance to retrieve and review the project documents.
USACE remains committed to reviewing new information as it becomes available, considering its application, and applying lessons learned to future projects. Public review and comment are encouraged within the 30-day period ending Oct. 19, 2022
Questions and comments may be submitted by email to CESAJ-MiamiHarbor@usace.army.mil. They may also be sent by post to the address below; however, email is highly preferred.
Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Planning and Policy Division, Environmental Branch
Attn: Ms. Graceann Sparkman
701 San Marco Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32207-8175
Public comments must be received by Oct. 19, 2022 for consideration.
For more information about Corps projects, please visit www.saj.usace.army.mil.
