Press Releases

Corps Announces Public Scoping Meeting for Environmental Impact Statement for the Port of Gulfport Expansion Project

Published May 1, 2013
MOBILE, Ala.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District (USACE), in coordination with the Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA), will hold a public scoping meeting on Tuesday, May 21 from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Marriott Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront Hotel, 1600 East Beach Boulevard, Gulfport, Miss. 39501. The purpose of this scoping meeting is to announce modifications to the permit application for the Port of Gulfport Expansion Project for which an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared. “The Mississippi State Port Authority has requested a modification to their expansion project to include a new turning basin and widening and deepening of the channel through Mississippi Sound,” said E. Patrick Robbins, Public Affairs Office, Mobile District.  “This scoping meeting will provide information on this modification request as well as the elements of the original proposed actions for the port’s expansion and give the public the opportunity to provide information they believe should be evaluated in the EIS process.” The EIS will evaluate the effects of construction and long-term effects of the proposed channel modification, including placement of new work and maintenance dredged material in beneficial use sites or other placement areas, such as open water and ocean dredged material disposal sites. The EIS will also include the original proposed actions. Potential impacts of the proposed project, connected actions, and alternatives will be evaluated in the EIS, which will assist USACE in deciding whether to issue a Department of the Army permit. It is anticipated that a Draft EIS will be made available for public review in early calendar year 2014.             

USACE invites comments on the proposed scope and content of the EIS from all interested parties. The scoping meeting will begin with an informal open house from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by a formal presentation of the proposed permit action and modifications. Verbal and written comments will be taken at the scoping meeting following the formal presentation until 8:00 p.m. A time limit of five minutes will be imposed on verbal comments. Displays and other forms of information about the proposed action and modifications will be available, and USACE, MSPA and Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) personnel will be present at the open house to discuss the proposed project and modifications and the EIS process.

The scoping meeting will be conducted in English. If hearing impaired or language translation services are needed, please contact at 251-694-3781, orPort.GulfportEIS@usace.army.mil, or at the mailing address provided below by May 14, 2013.

Those who are unable to attend the scoping meeting may submit written comments by June 17, 2013 to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District

c/o Regulatory Division- SAM-2009-1768-DMY

P.O. Box 2288

Mobile, AL 36628-0001

Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to: Port.GulfportEIS@usace.army.mil. For more information about the project, please visit the website at www.PortofGulfportEIS.com.

For information about this project, to be included on the mailing list for future updates and meeting announcements, or to receive a copy of the Draft EIS when it is issued, contact 251 -694-3781, or e-mail Port.GulfportEIS@usace.army.mil. MDA can also be contacted for additional information at P.O. Box 849, Jackson, Miss., 39205, 601 -359‑2157 or by e-mail at EMilam@mississippi.org. Please refer to Department of the Army Permit Number SAM‑2009‑1768‑DMY. For all media queries please contact the Mobile District Public Affairs Office at 251- 690‑2505.

 

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Contact
Ervin P. Robbins
251-690-2505

Release no. 13-016