Public Meeting on Port of Gulfport Expansion Project Set for May 21 (USA)

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.

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Press Release, May 7, 2013