Assistant secretary of the Army Michael L. Connor issued a record of decision (ROD) for the Port’s Deep Draft Navigation Feasibility Study and Channel Deepening Project to improve navigation, commerce and safety by deepening channels, basins and berths and widening key passages.
The ROD concludes the Army Corps’ work on the Final Integrated Feasibility Report with Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report and greenlights federal participation.
“I find the plan recommended by the Chief of Engineers to be technically feasible, economically justified, in accordance with environmental statutes, and in the public interest,” Connor wrote.
The decision makes possible the beginning of a series of actions required to make the project a reality. The project enhances the safe and efficient operation of the Long Beach gateway, which handles more than US$200 billion in cargo annually and supports more than 2.6 million US jobs.
“This decision recognizes the national significance of our Port and allows us to move forward with a project that will yield enormous economic benefits for the country, the state and the greater Long Beach area,” said Long Beach board of harbor commissioners president Sharon L. Weissman.
“At the same time, it will improve the safety of Port operations and help lessen environmental impacts,” she added.
The port and the federal government will share the cost, estimated at nearly US$170 million.
Key features of the Channel Deepening Project are:
- Deepening the Long Beach Approach Channel from 23 meters (76 feet) to 24,3 meters (80 feet) along the passage through the breakwater at Queen’s Gate.
- Easing turning bends in the Main Channel to deepen a wider area to 23 metres (76 feet).
- Deepening portions of the West Basin from 15,2 meters (50 feet) to 16,7 meters (55 feet).
- Constructing an approach channel and turning basin to Pier J South with a depth of 16,7 meters (55 feet).
- Deepening the Pier J Basin and the Pier J South Slip to 16,7 meters (55 feet).
- Improving the breakwaters at the entrance to the Pier J Basin to allow for the deepening the basin and slip.
- Depositing dredged material in either nearshore sites for reuse or federally approved ocean disposal sites.
- Constructing a new electric substation to power dredging equipment used within Queen’s Gate.
